N. Jenkins, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Nashport, OH; P. F. Mendez, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO; T. W. Eagar, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Summary: Welding fume composition is dependent on the temperature at the surface of a GMAW electrode. This temperature varies with welding parameters and affects the amount, composition, and type of fume. A thermodynamic analysis based on the superheating expected at the surface of the molten electrode tip is presented to help understand observed fume composition.