Gas emission during welding with metal cored and self-shielded wire

Abstract

The use of flux-cored and self-shielded wires as filler materials for gas metal arc welding is growing constantly due to increased productivity and efficiency, better weld quality, and easier operation. On the other hand, one of the major drawbacks of these wires is the increased amount of fumes and gases and insufficient data on their harmful effects, especially in the case of self-shielded wire. Therefore, nowadays, one of the most important requirements is an environmental and health request for decreased fume and gas emission. In this paper, the plates of steel microalloyed with V, Nb, and Ti were welded with metal-cored wire in a shielded atmosphere of Ar+5.9% CO₂ +1.1% O₂ and with self-shielded wire. The concentrations of emitted total dust and gases CO, CO₂, and SO₂ were measured. Obtained values were compared with permissible exposure limits defined by standard. It was estimated that self-shielded wire did not show higher toxicity compared to metal-cored wire, which is in contrast with previous studies.