TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 257/1984 - Reissued 2026
By G J Carter and D A Worrall
Introduction
TWI has carried out research projects for over 50 years in the Core Research Programme and the results of which have been published as Industrial Members reports. Some of the early work is still relevant and of industrial importance.
TWI has selected a number of key reports on arc welding technology. The content has been reviewed and brought up to date, by adding a new foreword, referencing developments in technology, current standards and codes of practice.
Background
A review of the literature relating to factors influencing the rate of fume production during welding is presented. Fume formation mechanisms are described with reference to manual metal arc, flux-cored arc, metal inert gas, metal active gas and tungsten inert gas welding processes. The effect of welding parameters and consumable formulation on fume emission rate and composition is shown and the particular importance of the role of flux composition indicated. The feasibility is examined of reducing both fume emissions and the toxicity of the fume from manual metal arc and flux cored arc processes by modifying flux formulation.
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