A. T. Olabode, Olabode Adewumi Taiwo Steel Construction Company Limited, Lagos, Nigeria

Summary: The object studied in this paper is the weld of rutile type Cr-Ni austenitic stainless electrode. Based on the theory of blowhole emersion velocity, recent progress of mechanism investigation of blowhole formation, including the influence theory of moisture in electrode covering, the influence theory of non-metallic inclusions in droplets, the influence theory of solidification mode of weld metal and the influence theory of droplet transfer pattern, are introduced, which provides the basis for necessary theory of further investigating and engineering application. Key words: blowhole, stainless steel weld, formation mechanism, recent progress