Welding fumes reduction by coating of nano-TiO2 on electrodes

The coated electrodes were used to deposit bead on plate welds on IS 2062 low carbon steel plates and the fumes in the breathing zone of the welder were collected using the personal air sampler. The experiments were designed using the Taguchi methodology. The experimental electrodes exhibited 80% reduction in breathing zone concentration of fumes compared to commercially available uncoated counterparts. Further, constituent analysis revealed a tangible reduction in the concentration of Fe, Mn, Si, Ni, Cr and Ti in the fumes. Metallographic analysis confirmed that the weld obtained from coated electrodes exhibited a higher depth of penetration, fine-grained microstructure and higher hardness values.