Submerged-arc welding (SAW) is a common arc welding process that involves the formation of an arc between a continuously fed electrode and the workpiece. A blanket of powdered flux generates a protective gas shield and a slag (and may also be used to add alloying elements to the weld pool) which protects the weld zone.

The two most common shielding gases for Flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) is a mix of 75 percent argon and 25 percent CO₂.

Flux cored arc welding (FCAW) is a semi-automatic arc welding process that is similar to metal active gas (MAG) welding. FCAW uses a continuous wire fed electrode, a constant-voltage welding power supply, and similar equipment to MAG welding.

There are two basic process variants; self shielded FCAW (without shielding gas) and gas shielded FCAW (with shielding gas). The difference in the two is due to different fluxing agents in the consumables, which provide different benefits to the user.

Tubular cored flux electrode provides protective slag in flux cored arc welding.