GMAW is a low hydrogen process more info as to applicable code will, I am sure, get you any other questions answered nearly any weld supply should have enough er70 at 045 to bury you beneath
regrds
d
The term Low Hydrogen generally refers to Hydrogen in the flux of a SMAW electrode.
The gas-shielded flux cored wire equivalents also have diffusible hydrogen designations (H2, H4, etc) to indicate if they are "low hydrogen" or not.
The key words here are that you must "do the job to code". Some codes, such as AWS D1.1, do not accept short circuiting mode of GMAW as "prequalified", and for good reason. GMAW is a great process for many applications, but I have also seen it used improperly in structural applications resulting in failures due to inadequate penetration and fusion. So you may have to perform a welding procedure qualification to demonstrate the procedure is capable of producing sound welds that meet code. I don't know what code you must meet, but if it is structural welding you would be better off using an 0.035" or 0.045" E71T-1 flux core wire with gas shielding. I would stay away from the self-shielded (gasless) flux core wires.
As far as application what are we talking about here, 1/2 " material, 1/2" welds or what.
Brian J. Maas
If your application could call for higher depositions rates, 80/20 shielding, and the mechanical properties of E7018, then you may want to look at Hobart Formula XL-525 available in 0.045 diameter (or other E71T-1M types). It has a diffusible hydrogen spec of 3.38ml/100grams.
Tensile = 82Kpsi, Yield = 73Kpsi, Charpy V-notch=100ftlb @ 0F,
and 66ftlb @ -40F.
Amp. range of 150-300, Volt range of 24-31, ESO = 0.5-1.0"
Hope this helps,
-dseman