Fume generation behaviors in short circuit mode during gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding

Fume generation mechanisms in gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and flux cored arc welding (FCAW) have been widely investigated. The experimental approach using the different contents of chromium and nickel in electrodes and base metal was proposed in this study, in order to quantitatively measure the amount of fume generated from the electrode and the base metal respectively. The experiments were conducted by using a stainless steel electrode and a mild steel electrode, and chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) contents of the fume were calibrated by using the different electrodes. The welding fume was generated mainly from the wire electrode. In addition, the relationship between the welding parameters and fume generation rate (FGR) was investigated. FGR increased with welding current; however, weights of fume per unit electrode length showed a reverse trend compared with FGR per unit time.