Final answer:
Gas flow in the gas shielded FCAW process is influenced by gas pressure and nozzle diameter, which govern the protection of the weld pool and are not related to the contact tip diameter or material thickness.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using the gas shielded FCAW process, the gas flow will depend partly on the gas pressure and nozzle diameter. This is because the gas flow rate should be sufficient to protect the weld pool from atmospheric contamination without causing excessive turbulence. Gas pressure affects how much gas is going through the nozzle, while the diameter of the nozzle determines the shape and velocity of the gas stream. Neither the diameter of the contact tip nor the distance of the nozzle from the pressure container are primary factors in determining gas flow for welding purposes. Additionally, while the thickness of the material to be welded influences many parameters of the welding process, it is not a direct factor in determining gas flow.