TWI Industrial Member Report Summary 736/2002
G J Carter
Background
In principle, it would be better to complete a weld using process, parameters and consumables selected because they generate fewer fumes. Lower emissions might reasonably be expected to equate, either to lower welder exposure in the workplace or, at least, to reduce requirements for fume control. It is easy to select processes, parameters and consumables that simply provide low fume emissions, eg TIG welding, so that fume emission rate should not be the only selection criterion. Consideration should also be given to deposition rate, permitting a balanced decision between fume and productivity requirements. Comparison should be made only between processes, parameters and consumables that could justifiably be used to complete a similar joint in a real working situation. Thus, there was a requirement to generate fume emission rate and productivity data for welding procedures that would compete in terms of economic completion of a welded joint.
Objectives
- Generate fume emission rate data, using latest methodology, for the completion of a welded joint under production conditions.
- Evaluate the effect of the different joint completion procedures on exposure to fume and hence the fume control requirements.
