Effect of the oxidation potential of shielding gas on Cr (VI) generation during Metal Inert/ Active Gas Welding (MIG/ MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes

Effect of the oxidation potential of shielding gas on Cr (VI) generation during Metal Inert/ Active Gas Welding (MIG/ MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of the oxidation potential of shielding gas on Cr (VI) generation during Metal Inert/ Active Gas Welding (MIG/ MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes Vishal Vats, Geoff Melton, Meez Islam, Venkatesan Venkata Krishnan This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2848221/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract In this work, the role played by shielding gases in welding environments on carcinogenic Cr(VI) fume formation, is assessed. Shielding gases are characterized by oxidation index (OI), which is a crucial parameter likely to influence Cr(VI) formation in arc welding. The study found that the behavior of shielding gases towards Cr(VI) production differs between Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Solid wire welding (MIG/ MAG), with the OI of the shielding gas playing a much more significant role for solid wire welding. The study also found that arc stability and ionization potential, induced by the choice of the shielding gas, influence the amount of Cr(VI) produced, as well. The use of a mixture of CO2 and O2 resulted in the least amount of Cr(VI) formation for the solid wire welding. In Flux cored wires (FCW) welding, the highest amount of Cr(VI) was observed when using Argon as the shielding gas due to the presence of Na and K in the wires, which promote the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The use of oxidizing shielding gases (higher values of OI) reduces the amount of Cr(VI) formation as Na and K react with oxygen to form their oxides, reducing the tendency to form chromates and dichromates, which are the most significant Cr(VI) containing compounds in the fumes. Inductive Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Ion Chromatography (IC) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used primarily to obtain these findings, coupled with statistical techniques such as Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 I. Introduction Particulates and gases generated during the welding of metals are hazardous to the health of welders[1–3]. Hexavalent chromium is one among the many hazardous components generated during the welding of stainless steels [2, 4–7]. Welders working on stainless steels as an occupational group demonstrate increased risk of cancer later in life due to the exposure to hexavalent chromium [7–9]. This risk can be reduced significantly if exposure to hexavalent chromium is reduced at the source. Hexavalent Cr and other undesirable components in welding fumes are inadequately controlled simply through local exhaust ventilation or personal respiratory protection because of high costs of implementation, and the burden of individual responsibility placed upon the workers themselves. Welding fumes are usually generated during the welding processes at high temperature by the processes of vaporisation, oxidation, and condensation [10–12]. The main contributor to these fumes is the filler material in the welding electrodes which contributes about 90% of the welding fumes [13]. Welding wires used to weld stainless steel are rich in chromium and when the welding arc strikes, the chromium and alkali elements present in the welding wire reacts with each other to forms the alkaline chromates and dichromates such as Na 2 CrO 4 , K 2 CrO 4 , K 2 Cr 2 O 7 , NaK 3 (CrO 4 ) 2 and NaK 3 (Cr 2 O 7 ) 2 [5, 6, 14, 15] The above mechanisms have been verified, by usage of FTIR spectroscopy [16], which provides a clear detection of chromates and dichromates, whereas Ion Chromatography (IC) is able to quantify an overall proportion of Cr(VI) from the total Cr, which in turn is measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Shielding Gases and their Oxidation Potentials : When the consumables melt at high temperatures, they form molten droplets which are exposed to the ambient environment as they cool down. These droplets are at high temperature and have high potential to oxidise, which may affect the structural integrity of the weld. To protect the weld and the molten metal from contamination, different shielding gases are used which envelope the weld during welding and provide protection from atmospheric oxygen. Shielding gases are not just added to protect the metal droplet during welding but also for stabilising the arc to ensure smooth transmission of material, and for providing cooling to the welding torch and the weld pool. Examples of shielding gases include - CO 2 mixed with argon during welding of stainless steel, in order to improve arc stability and decreasing the spatter formation [17]. At lower CO 2 levels, more fume formation has been reported as there is more spattering which eventually decreases with the percentage increase of CO 2 in argon, but at CO 2 levels greater than 5%, fume formation begins to increase, due to the oxidising nature of CO 2 (since it dissociates into CO and O 2 in welding arc) [18]. In summary, although shielding gases are used to protect the weld from oxidation, in literature it has been found that the oxygen content of the shielding gas, especially the proportion of CO 2 and O 2 does affect the FFR (fume formation rate) in different ways[17–20], and thus hinting at the fact that there appears to be an optimal Oxygen content, necessary in the shielding gases. Hence oxygen is an important element with respect to welding fume formation. Due to the oxidising nature of the O 2 /CO 2 mixture, the Cr (III) to Cr (VI) oxidation can be enhanced during welding processes. Previous studies also talk about the FFR and does not focus on impact of shielding gases on Cr(VI) generation. Hence, it is important to study the effects of oxygen in the shielding gas on Cr (VI) formation during welding. Shielding gas thermal conductivity and effect on arc temperature : Shielding gases also affect the thermal conductivity and temperature of arc. Pure argon and oxygen both have low thermal conductivity which means that the temperature of the arc will be higher than in the case of carbon dioxide [19]. Hence, a higher level of oxidation of Cr (III) to Cr (VI) in the Ar-O 2 gas mixture can occur. However, in the case of CO 2, when mixed with argon, it is very difficult to predict the extent of Cr(III) oxidation as CO 2 is known to enhance the thermal conductivity of the arc [20], which would alter local temperature profiles. CO 2 also dissociates into to carbon monoxide and oxygen in welding arc, and this dissociation is endothermic in nature near the arc and this will lead to drop in temperature and thus creates the difference in the temperatures between the arc where the dissociation occurs, and the region external to the dissociation [21]. The other important factor which needs to be kept in mind during these experiments is the effect of droplet size, as majority of the fumes generates from the surface of droplet by evaporation[22]. The size of droplets generated during welding can have a significant impact on their surface temperature. When smaller droplets are formed, such as those created during spray or pulsed transfer, they tend to have cooler surface temperatures compared to larger droplets, such as those formed during globular transfer. This is because smaller droplets have much better heat transfer characteristics from the arc spot to the liquid-solid interface of the electrode. This means that heat can dissipate more easily from the droplet's surface, resulting in a lower surface temperature. In contrast, larger droplets have a greater barrier to heat transfer, causing the surface temperature to remain higher [22]. This distinction in droplet size and temperature can affect the evaporation from the droplet surface and oxidation of the weld droplet. The oxidation by the shielding gases can impact the Cr(VI) composition in the fumes, thus it makes more stimulating to study the link between the shielding gases and the Cr(VI) generation. It is important to investigate the effect of shielding gases compositions on Cr (VI) formation (because of its toxicity profile) as the role of the oxidising potential is not clearly reported. With different gas mixtures, one may see the effects on Cr (VI) formation and be able to study which factor has a greater impact on the results. The Cr(VI) speciation has been detected and identified by FTIR and quantified as by Ion Chromatography (IC). II. Materials and methods a. Collection of welding fumes Welding trials were carried out with an inverter MIG/ MAG power source operating in the open arc transfer mode (globular transfer mode with non-pulse current). Welding conditions were set manually on the power source and recorded(average voltage and current) - as mentioned in Table 2. Wire feed rate for the welding was set to 10.2 m/ min. CTWD (Contact Tip to Work Distance) was set to 20 mm. A standard swan neck welding torch was connected to the power source and clamped by the handle above a moving traverse. The torch nozzle was angled at 90 degrees to the vertical and welding progressed in the ‘push’ direction. A fume hood as specified in EN ISO 15011-1 - Health and safety in welding and allied processes — Laboratory method for sampling fume and gases Part 1: Determination of fume emission rate during arc welding and collection of fume for analysis (2009), (Annex A, Design 2), was suspended above the welding torch to collect the welding fume. The welding setup for experiments is shown in Figure 1. Welding was carried out on 304SS plates (500 X 50 X 10 mm), clamped in a fixture on the traverse and the weld progressed by moving the plate under a stationary welding torch. The travel speed of traverse was set up to 300 mm/min. The welding fumes were sucked through the fume hood and collected by the cellulose filter paper inserted on the top of hood. Cellulose filter paper was used, as it is an inert medium, and would not contaminate the fume sample. Samples can also be easily brushed off from these filter paper easily. The fumes were brushed off from the filter paper after the welding and further analysis on the fumes was carried out. The filler material used for welding was 1.2 mm diameter flux cored wires (EN ISO 17633-A-T 19 9 L P C/M 1) and solid stainless steel 1mm diameter (EN ISO 14343-A: G 19 9 L Si) wires. Typical composition of the materials as provided by the supplier is listed in Table 1. Table 1: Composition of consumables (% W/ W) C Mn Si Cr Ni Base Plate 0.08 2.0 0.75 18.0-20.0 8.0-10.5 Solid stainless steel wire consumable 0.02 1.7 0.90 20 10 Flux cored wire consumable 0.06 1.3 0.50 19.3 9.5 b. Welding fume Samples, and Oxygen Index (OI) When investigating the effect of shielding gases on welding fumes, Oxygen Index is the key parameter for investigation. Oxygen Index (OI) is defined by IIW (International Institute of Welding) by an empirical formula, (OI = %O 2 + ½* %CO 2 ), and this is used in our experiments to estimate the oxidising effect of the shielding gases. In welding literature, the oxidising effect is also referred to as the oxygen potential. Solid molten metal interacts with shielding gases which leads to fume formation, followed by condensation – therefore, shielding gas is a very important factor which can lead to Cr (VI) formation from Cr (III). The different welding fumes samples generated by varying shielding gases) are as listed in Table 2. Not all these shielding gases mixtures are recommended for welding stainless steels, but they were used to provide a wide range of oxygen index. Table 2: Welding fume samples and welding conditions Sample name Consumable Shielding gases O 2 index (OI) Welding Current (Amps) Welding Voltage (Volts) SS1 Solid Stainless-Steel Wire 100% Ar 0% 185 29.1 SS2 Solid Stainless-Steel Wire 98% Ar + 2% O 2 2% 180 28.3 SS3 Solid Stainless-Steel Wire 98% Ar + 2% CO 2 1% 190 27.1 SS4 Solid Stainless-Steel Wire 92% Ar + 8% CO 2 4% 200 30.2 SS5 Solid Stainless-Steel Wire 93%Ar + 2%O 2 + 5%CO 2 4.5% 200 30.3 FCW1 Flux Cored Wire 100% Ar 0% 260 33.0 FCW2 Flux Cored Wire 80% Ar + 20% CO 2 10% 230 32.5 FCW3 Flux Cored Wire 83% Ar + 15% CO 2 + 2% O 2 9.5% 225 32.7 FCW4 Flux Cored Wire 78% Ar + 20% CO 2 + 2% O 2 12% 225 32.8 These welding fume samples were collected on cellulose filters and then brushed off and stored in glass vials. ICP-MS was carried out to detect the elemental composition of these fumes. Simultaneously using another batch of the sample, ion chromatography (IC) was carried out with the purpose of measurement of Cr(VI) in welding fume composition. Particle size and elemental composition of the welding fumes was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) . SEM images were taken by Zeiss ∑igma FEGSEM. The phase analysis and crystal structure of the welding fume particles were analysed by XRD using a Siemens D501 Diffractometer. FTIR was performed using a Thermo Fisher iS5 attached with a ID7 ATR accessory. The FTIR spectra were obtained after 128 scans with 2cm -1 resolution in absorbance mode. The background was measured for each sample and subtracted from the final spectra. III. Results and Discussions a. ICP and Ion Chromatography (IC) Table 3 displays the ICP-MS data of welding fumes generated using different shielding gases. Tracking the levels of total Cr and Cr(VI) by ICP-MS and IC, respectively, it is observed clearly, that while total Cr levels in fumes formed from solid SS wire consumable, i.e., SS1 through to SS5, are very much higher than those for Flux Cored Wires, the quantity of Cr(VI) observed is much lesser in the case of solid SS wires. This data is consistent across the board, for all the shielding gas combinations. For example, in the case for FCW1, over 90% of the Cr formed, is Cr(VI), and even FCW3 which has the lowest proportion of Cr(VI) among the flux cored wires, has as much as 23.87%. Contrast this with the SS samples (Solid SS Wire), where the proportion of Cr(VI) is less than 5% of the total Cr. Interestingly, the total Cr content in the FCW fumes is much lower than that observed for the solid SS wires. Higher levels of alkali metals are observed in the FCW samples, and this is clearly due to the composition of the fluxes. The fume compositions for the solid SS wire samples, are largely reflecting of the stainless-steel composition itself, viz., Fe, Cr, Mn, and Ni. A more granular statistical analysis of the trends as a function of shielding gases, follows. Table 3: Elemental composition of welding fumes (% mass /mass basis) (% m/ m) FCW1 FCW2 FCW3 FCW4 SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 Al 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Bi 3.6 4.5 5.3 4.7 - - - - - Ca 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - - - - Cr 4.2 5.9 6.2 6.5 12.7 13.8 14.3 12.8 13.1 Cr(VI) (IC) 4 3.61 1.48 2.55 0.25 0.62 0.4 0.30 0.29 Fe 8.1 11.1 9.3 15.3 44.7 40.8 36.4 35.9 37.1 K 15.6 13 12.6 11.9 - - - - - Mn 8.5 9.5 9.3 9.1 4.8 5.9 8.8 10.4 11 Na 8.2 7.3 7.2 6.8 - - - - - Ni 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.8 6.2 5.7 4.3 3.9 3.6 Si 4.1 2.2 2.3 1.8 1.1 1.8 1.6 1.8 1.8 Ti 0.7 1.3 2.3 1.5 - - - - - % Cr (VI) in total Cr 95.23 61.18 23.87 39.23 1.96 4.49 2.79 2.34 2.21 This observation is very critical in understanding the role played by shielding gases and may be rationalized in light of general fume formation mechanisms proposed in literature. The fume formation during welding happens by two mechanisms, firstly, via the vaporisation of the metal or compounds near the arc and subsequent condensation of the species, oxidation may follow during condensation [23]. The second method is enhanced vaporisation by formation of more volatile oxides on the surface of the weld droplet, followed by condensation and further oxidation [23]. The first mechanism occurs regularly and is inevitable, but the second can be influenced by shielding gases, i.e., either minimised or enhanced [23]. If oxidation potential of the shielding gas is lowered, it is possible that the second mechanism can be lowered too. Argon has the lowest oxidation potential amongst the all the shielding gases used, hence there is very low possibility of the second type of fume formation and due to which least amount of total chromium is observed, from both types of consumables (SS and FCW). With regard to Cr(VI) it is known that during welding, Cr(VI) stabilises itself by forming chromates and dichromates of alkali or alkaline earth metals. Since the solid stainless-steel consumables do not have any alkali or alkaline earth metals present in them, the generation of Cr(VI) depends highly on oxidation from the shielding gas, and there is less possibility of second fume formation mechanism during welding with argon as the shielding gas. However, in the case of flux cored wires the Cr(VI) formation depends on multiple factors in addition to oxidation from shielding gas. In flux cored consumables (FCW) the presence of alkaline earth metals such as sodium and potassium have a significant role in Cr(VI) formation. Hence the oxidation of these alkali/ alkaline earth metals also plays a role in Cr(VI) formation. Using argon as the shielding gas for flux cored wire consumables, much lower quantity of Fe, Mn, Ni and Ti are observed, compared to oxidising gases. But this is not the case with solid stainless consumables. Fumes from solid stainless-steel consumables show the highest amount of iron and nickel in them when welding using argon. However, to understand the role of shielding gases in details, one needs to use statistical correlation coefficients. b. Statistical Analysis: While the broad differences between the SS and FCW consumables are clearly discernible, the role played by shielding gases for either type of consumable requires detailed probing. Due to the complexity in interpreting the trends obtained from IC/ ICP, Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to understand the relation of different elements and the oxidation index of shielding gases in relation with the hexavalent chromium generation in welding fumes. In generic cases, Pearson’s correlation coefficients are used to measure the strength of relationships between any two variables. It is a statistical test and therefore it only measures the statistical relationships between two variables. Pearson’s correlation coefficients are represented by ‘r’ and they are derived using the following formula. Pearson’s correlation coefficients value ranges from -1 to 1 and they represent the degree of association. If the value (r) is ±1 then it signifies a perfect correlation. Perfect correlation means, if one variable increase then the other variable will also increase proportionally if the value is +1 and if its -1 then the other variable value will decrease. If the value lies between ±0.50 and ±1 then it is considered as a strong correlation. If the values are between ±0.30 and ±0.49, then it is said to be medium correlation and if the values lie below ±0.29 then it is considered as a small correlation. If the correlation value is zero, then there is no correlation between the variables. As an example, different values of correlations alongside their data point representation are demonstrated in the Figure 2. c. Effects of shielding gases on Cr(VI) formation in welding fumes generated by solid stainless-steel consumables. Table 4 demonstrates the Pearson’s correlation coefficients of solid stainless-steel consumable welding fumes elements and their oxygen index. Table 4: Pearson’s correlation coefficients of stainless-steel (SS) consumable welding fumes - elements and oxygen index (OI) The data in Table 4 shows the correlation coefficients between several elements (Y i ) vs key parameters (Cr levels, Cr(VI) levels and Oxygen Index [OI]), obtained by using the Pearson’s coefficient formula mentioned earlier. Table 4 shows the strong positive correlation (0.98) between Mn and OI of the shielding gases, whereas we observe the strong negative correlation between OI of shielding gases and Fe (-0.84) and Ni (-0.95). It indicated that with the increase in the oxygen content of the shielding gases we observe less Fe and Ni in welding fumes which is not expected since during welding process Fe and Ni oxidises and forms the spinal oxides. Person’s coefficient of Cr(VI) and OI (i.e -0.31) also doesn’t show us the clear representation in understanding the role of shielding gases and Cr(VI) generation. For SS consumables, the range of OI’s is not very extensive (OI’s vary from 0 to 4.5 only, ref. Table 1), since only specific gas combinations are widely employed in industry to protect the structural integrity of joints. Aforementioned gases (gases used by industry for welding SS with solid wire) for welding with SS electrodes do not provide large alterations in their oxidation indices and as a result not much difference is observed in the composition of the elements by ICP data (Table 3.). Hence, to study the effects of shielding gases on Cr(VI) generation in solid wire electrodes, a different approach was used by comparing the effect of oxidising gases to non-oxidising gases, such as CO 2 , O 2 and mixture of CO 2 + O 2 each mixed with argon. While thermodynamics determine the potential for formation of different types of oxides, kinetics determine the nucleation and growth of oxides, as seen in the welding fumes [24, 25]. In welding fume formation, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the formation of oxides are determined by the temperature of arc, temperature of the weld pool, exposure periods (speed of weld), oxidation index of the shielding gas and chemical composition (type of consumable). The correlation coefficients show that as the oxidation index of the shielding gas is increased, there is a decrease in the content of iron and nickel in welding fumes and an increase in the content of manganese. It would appear that the iron and nickel do not oxidise in the presence of more oxygen from the shielding gas, but this is not the case. It must be borne in mind that welding is a metal deposition process and fumes are only, the by-products; therefore, the better the welding conditions and more stable the arc, the better the metal deposition and lesser the by-product i.e., welding fumes. In welding fumes, Cr(VI) is generated by chemical reactions occurring in the arc and during the solidification and nucleation of fume particles, whereas Fe is present in large amounts in the consumables, and hence, the presence of iron in the fume depends mainly on the quality of welding, i.e., if the arc is not stable, we experience more spattering, and this would increase the Fe content in the welding fumes. Shielding gases such as O 2 and CO 2 provide better arc stability then Ar. Hence, we observe the maximum amount of Fe in fumes from Ar as a shielding gas. CO 2 and O 2 have different properties such as CO 2 has high ionisation energy of dissociation. CO 2 dissociates into carbon monoxide and oxygen which is not provided by oxygen alone, as a result CO 2 gives deep penetration and high voltage and better arc stability which was observe during the generation of SS3 and SS4 fume samples. Because of this stable arc we observe less Cr(VI) and Fe in our samples where CO 2 was mixed with other shielding gases compared to SS2 which was Ar mixed with 2% O 2 . Although oxygen stabilises the arc when mixed with Ar, it has low thermal conductivity and as a result its oxidising effect is greater, compared to CO 2 , and we observe more Cr(VI) and Fe in 2% oxygen and Argon mixture compared to the situation with 8% carbon dioxide and Argon mixture which has higher oxygen index. The best results are observed in the mixture of CO 2 and O 2 as we observe the least amount of Cr(VI) in these samples among all oxidising shielding gases mixtures. From these results we can conclude that oxygen index does play a role in Cr(VI) generation as we observe the least amount of Cr(VI) in non-oxidising gases i.e., Ar, but while using oxidising shielding gases which are more practical in terms of welding, a mixture of both oxygen and CO 2 provides the best results for minimising Cr(VI) generation while at the same time, improving arc stability and the weld properties. d. Effects of shielding gases on Cr(VI) formation in welding fumes generated by flux cored consumables Table 5: Pearson’s correlation coefficients of flux cored consumable welding fumes elements and oxygen index Table 5 shows the Pearson’s coefficients for fluxed cored consumable welding fumes and their oxygen index. Oxygen, which is present or generated in oxidising shielding gases, oxidises elemental species present in the fumes and thus increases their quantities in the fume, and this is observed for Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Ti – this is reflected in their r-values, of 0.99, 0.83, 0.73, 0.91 and 0.72, respectively; however, Pearson’s coefficient for Cr(VI) (IC data) with respect to the OI, shows a negative value, i.e., -0.66, i.e., reduction of Cr(VI) with OI, which was unexpected. The maximum amount of Cr (VI) in the FCW1 sample which was generated with 100% Ar gas (OI = 0), which is inert in nature, i.e., zero capability for any form of oxidation. To understand this better, slag samples from the welding trials were collected and analysed using ICP/ IC for their elemental composition, which is shown in the Table 6. Table 6: Elemental composition of slag samples of the FCW welding experiments (ICP); For Cr(VI), IC data is presented. % w/w Slag from FCW1 Slag from FCW2 Slag from FCW3 Slag from FCW4 Al 3.5 4.3 4.4 4 Cr 8.4 10.1 10.4 10.1 Cr(VI) (IC) 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 Fe 1 1.9 1.9 2.0 K 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.8 Mn 6.8 6.8 7.0 6.8 Na 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.6 Si 2.2 2.7 2.8 2.9 Ti 36.1 33.7 33.4 33.2 Oxygen index 0 10 9.5 12 Sample FCW1 shows the highest amount of Cr(VI), K and Na in the fume sample (Table 3), whereas in the slag samples it shows the least amount of Na and K. Therefore, it is likely that Na and K do indeed react with Cr in welding electrodes and generate Na and K chromates and dichromates, as a result of which the amount of Na and K is least in the slag. In the fume samples FCW2, FCW3 and FCW3 we observe less Cr(VI) because, it is likely, that some of the available Na and K may react with oxygen and form alkali oxides or peroxides. Welding fluxes contain sodium and potassium in the form of silicates as a binder. Sodium and potassium silicates are mixtures of silica with sodium and potassium carbonates. During welding (because of high temperature) in presence of oxygen, these potassium and sodium carbonates dissociates into sodium oxide and carbon dioxide via following reaction. Sodium oxide forms the slag to protect the weld from oxidation and carbon dioxide is released as a gas, but during limited supply of oxygen ( in FCW1 ) sodium carbonates dissociates into CO 2 and Na ion and this sodium ion reacts with chromium (III) to form chromium (VI) chromates and dichromates. Fume sample FCW2 (oxygen index 10) does not have oxygen as the shielding gas and therefore regardless of having a lower oxygen index than FCW4 (oxygen index 12) it has more Cr(VI). Hence, it is apparent from the data on the slag and the fumes, that shielding gases comprising O 2 and CO 2 lower Cr(VI) emission during welding. e. FTIR In order to establish the above hypothesis, for the Chromate/ Dichromate formation pathway for FCW welds, FTIR was carried out on the fumes generated. Prior experiments on a range of arc-welding experiments have established FTIR as a very powerful tool to identify Chromate/ Dichromate species[16]. Figure 4 shows the FTIR data for welding fumes generated by MIG/ MAG welding using solid stainless-steel wire (SS1 to SS5). Welding fumes from solid wires are rich in iron oxide compounds and as a result, all the samples show the broad peak before 700 cm -1 wavenumber which is due the large amount of iron spinels the peak around 690 cm -1 wavenumbers is caused due to the Fe-O antisymmetric stretching [26-28]. To observe minor peaks the FTIR spectra were plotted in the narrow range (600-2000 wavenumber). All these fume samples also show the peak around wavenumber 725 cm -1 which is due to Fe-O-H vibration[16]. Peaks in the range of 930-950 cm -1 in different samples are due to the vibration of Cr=O and this vibration is observed in CrO 3, which could be the Cr (VI) compound observed in solid stainless steel wire welding fumes [16]. Vibration peaks in the range of 1020-1035 cm -1 is due the vibration of the Si-O-Si symmetric stretching mode indicating the presence of SiO 2 in welding fumes [29, 30]. The peaks after 1100 cm -1 are indicative of organic compounds. , likely due to the presence of small quantities of carbon in stainless steel. The peak around 1630 cm -1 can be assigned to O-H bending vibrations, which hint at the absorbed H 2 O molecules on fume samples. Figure 5 shows FTIR spectra for flux cored arc welding fumes (FCW) under its own set of shielding gases (Refer to Table 2 for the shielding gases used). As mentioned earlier, flux cored wires have alkali and alkaline earth elements in them, which significantly form chromates and dichromates and this is clearly seen in the FTIR peaks, at 725, 832, 853, 884, 890, 886, and 971 cm -1 . Prior work [16, 31] has demonstrated similar peaks as well, identifiable clearly by FTIR. A vibrational peak shift from their characteristic peaks is seen in all samples, due to the fact that the compounds formed in the fumes, are not in their pure phases. Welding fumes contain different mixed oxide phases and mixed metal oxide spinel. FTIR peaks at wavenumber 832cm -1 and 853 cm -1 are due to the formation of chromates, as these peaks are indicative of Cr-O-Cr vibrations [31, 32]. FTIR peaks at 884, 890 and 886 cm -1 is due to formation of dichromates, as these peaks are caused by Cr-O 3 symmetric vibrations. FTIR peaks around 730 cm -1 are due to the Cr-O-Cr symmetric stretching molecular vibrations of dichromates [16]. FTIR vibrational peaks around 960 cm -1 are due to the Cr=O vibration indicating the presence of CrO 3 in these samples. FTIR Peaks at 1110 cm -1 are due to silica compounds as this indicates the Si-O-Si stretching. This peak is not observed as a sharp peak in FCW1 and FCW2 samples because of the interference by Cr (VI) peak at 975 and we see a broadening of the peak. FTIR peaks between 1200-1500 cm -1 are due to carbon organic compounds (observed in various degrees, among the samples), and the peak at 1648.5 cm -1 is due to the O-H bending vibrations. In summary, FTIR data complement the Chromate/ Dichromate formation chemistry, which is strongly suspected, from the ICP/ IC data. As in previous work [16], while IC data provides a general quantitative indication of Cr(VI) in welding fumes, FTIR goes one step further and identifies the vibration modes which are clearly indicative of Chromates/ Dichromates/ CrO 3 . f. XRD Figure 6 shows the XRD data of the welding fumes from both type of arc welding electrodes solid stainless steels wires electrodes (SS2,SS4) and flux cored wire electrodes (FCW2,FCW4). SS1 and SS2 shows the almost similar XRD peak profile apart from peak at 44.5 and 50.7 2q value in SS4 sample. The peaks which are at 2-q values of 30, 35, 43, 56.2, 62.3 o are reflective of spinels, AB 2 O 4, with A, and B = Fe, Cr, Mn, and/or Ni, where the A site is Fe, and B could be a combination of Mn, Cr and/or Ni. However, due to the very small particle sizes (very broad peaks), the A and B sites could also include dopants such as Mn, Cr, and/or Ni in different proportions [11, 33]. The XRD peaks observed were broad, indicating small crystallite or particle sizes, which was further confirmed by SEM measurements. The SEM data, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 were used to determine the average particle size of the welding fumes. It was found that the welding fumes from stainless steel wire electrodes had an average particle size of 32.6nm, while those from FCW electrodes had an average particle size of 93nm. The XRD patterns of FCW2 and FCW4 exhibited peaks at 2θ angles of approximately 30°, 35°, 43°, 56.2°, and 62.3°, which were also observed in the SS2 and SS4 samples. These peaks suggest the presence of spinel oxides, which are commonly found in solid stainless-steel wire electrodes. Additionally, the peaks observed in the flux cored wire fume samples (FCW2 and FCW4) can be attributed to the formation of both alkali-alkaline earth fluoride phases and spinel oxides. These alkali-alkaline earth fluoride phases can be observed at the 2-q values of 20.8°, 38.3°, and 40.7°[33]. IV. Conclusions ICP data indicates that the shielding gases play an important role in the elemental composition of welding fumes, and most importantly Cr(VI) levels. Results from XRD, SEM, suggests that there is no effect of shielding gases on the structure of the welding fume particles but ICP clearly shows the effect of shielding gases on composition of the fumes. Fume particles generated during welding using different shielding gases have similar spinel structure. Shielding gases can be inert (like Ar) or have some O 2 levels in them, either as pure O 2 , or via CO 2 which provides some O 2 during the decomposition under welding arc environments. Hence an ideal parameter for shielding gas investigation is Oxygen Index (OI). In the case of solid stainless-steel wires as the consumable, the oxidation index (OI) of shielding gases plays a direct role, i.e., least amount of Cr(VI) is observed in the fume, with argon as a shielding gas compared to other oxidising shielding gases. Along with the oxidation index of shielding gases the other important variables are the arc stability and ionisation potential of the shielding gases. Since mixture of CO 2 and O 2 provide the most stable arc, this also contributes to least amount of Cr(VI) among the other oxidising shielding gas mixture, irrespective of having the highest oxygen index. However, ICP data of welding fumes from flux cored wires shows the strong negative correlation between the oxygen index of shielding gases and Cr(VI) formation. The highest amount of Cr(VI) is observed in the sample generated using Ar as the shielding gas (OI = 0). This is due to the fact that flux cored wires contain Na and K in them which lead to further oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) in welding fumes - the absence of oxygen they mostly react with Cr and form chromates and dichromates, and as a result the highest amount of Cr(VI) in FCW1 sample compared to other samples. In FCW samples where other oxidising shielding gases are used, a decrease in the Cr(VI) is observed, since Na and K reacts with the oxygen and forms oxides, as well, thereby lowering the chromates and dichromate formation, which is reflected in lower Cr(VI) observed in IC. This is also confirmed clearly by FTIR data which identify the presence of Cr(VI) in the form of chromates, dichromates and chromium trioxide (in FCW), whereas solid stainless-steel (SS) consumables do not show any chromates and dichromates peaks, albeit showing CrO 3 . Declarations Acknowledgements This research is funded by TWI’s Core Research Programme, a market-driven programme of research and development activities that underpin the creation and optimisation of joining, materials, and engineering technologies. https://www.twi-global.com/crp . The work was enabled through, and undertaken at, the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC), a postgraduate engineering facility for industry-led research into structural integrity established and managed by TWI through a network of both national and international Universities. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the provision of facilities from the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies of the Teesside University. The authors would like to acknowledge the HSE Science and Research Centre Buxton for helping to carry out ICP-MS and IC. Credit authorship contribution statement Vishal Vats: Conceptualization, Literature survey, Experimental Investigations (FTIR, XRD, SEM, Sample synthesis, and Welding work), Analysis Methodology, Writing and editing. Venkatesan V. Krishnan: Project Supervision, Resources, Monitoring, and technical help Writing – reviewing and feedback. Geoff Melton: Project administration, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Technical help, Resources, Writing - review and feedback. Meez Islam: Spectroscopy expertise, Chemistry feedback, Conflict of Interests : The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. References Hänninen, H., et al., Internal load of aluminum and the central nervous system function of aluminum welders. Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, 1994: p. 279-285. Oberdörster, G., et al., Role of the alveolar macrophage in lung injury: studies with ultrafine particles. Environmental health perspectives, 1992. 97 : p. 193-199. Hedenstedt, A., et al., Mutagenicity of fume particles from stainless steel welding. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 1977: p. 203-211. Mohan, S., et al., Strategies for controlling welding fumes at the source-A review. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2014. 592 : p. 2539-2545. Ashley, K., et al., Sampling and analysis considerations for the determination of hexavalent chromium in workplace air. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2003. 5 (5): p. 707-716. Mancuso, T.F., Chromium as an industrial carcinogen: Part I. American journal of industrial medicine, 1997. 31 (2): p. 129-139. Loprieno, N., International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk of chemicals to man:" relevance of data on mutagenicity". Mutation research, 1975. 31 (3): p. 210. Gibb, H.J., et al., Lung cancer among workers in chromium chemical production. American journal of industrial medicine, 2000. 38 (2): p. 115-126. GOLBABAEI, F., et al., Evaluation of parameters influencing hexavalent chromium mist sampling: a full factorial design. 2007. Jenkins, N., W. Pierce, and T. Eagar, Particle size distribution of gas metal and flux cored arc welding fumes. Welding J, 2005. 84 (10): p. 156-163. Jenkins, N. and T. Eagar, Chemical analysis of welding fume particles. WELDING JOURNAL-NEW YORK-, 2005. 84 (6): p. 87. Yoon, C.S., N.W. Paik, and J.H. Kim, Fume generation and content of total chromium and hexavalent chromium in flux-cored arc welding. Annals of occupational hygiene, 2003. 47 (8): p. 671-680. Brown, K., Environmental aspects of fume in air and water. Villepinte: International Institute of Welding Document, 1997: p. 1804-97. Kirichenko, K.Y., et al., Characterization of fume particles generated during arc welding with various covered electrodes. Scientific reports, 2018. 8 (1): p. 1-9. Sowards, J., et al., Characterization of welding fume from SMAW electrodes-Part I. WELDING JOURNAL-NEW YORK-, 2008. 87 (4): p. 106. Vats, V., et al., FTIR Spectroscopy as a convenient tool for detection and identification of airborne Cr (VI) compounds arising from arc welding fumes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2023: p. 130862. Shanping, L., F. Hidetoshi, and N. Kiyoshi, Effects of CO2 shielding gas additions and welding speed on GTA weld shape. Journal of materials science, 2005. 40 (9): p. 2481-2485. Carpenter, K.R., B.J. Monaghan, and J. Norrish. Influence of shielding gas on fume formation rate for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of plain carbon steel . in Proceedings of the 8th international conference trends weld. Res . 2009. Tanaka, M., et al., Influence of shielding gas composition on arc properties in TIG welding. Science and technology of welding and joining, 2008. 13 (3): p. 225-231. Ming, G., Z. Xiaoyan, and H. Qianwu, Effects of gas shielding parameters on weld penetration of CO2 laser-TIG hybrid welding. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2007. 184 (1-3): p. 177-183. Korjala, K., Helium as a welding shielding gas: effects on CO ₂ emissions by helium recovery and recycling system. 2021. Jenkins, N., P. Mendez, and T. Eagar. Effect of arc welding electrode temperature on vapor and fume composition . in Trends in Welding Research, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference . 2005. Heile, R. and D. Hill, Particulate fume generation in arc welding processes. Welding Journal, 1975. 54 (7): p. 201s-210s. RAPP, R.A., Kinetics, microstructures and mechanism of internal oxidation-its effect and prevention in high temperature alloy oxidation. Corrosion, 1965. 21 (12): p. 382-401. Huang, X., et al., Oxidation behavior of 316L austenitic stainless steel in high temperature air with long-term exposure. Materials Research Express, 2020. 7 (6): p. 066517. Vargas, M.A., J.E. Diosa, and E. Mosquera, Data on study of hematite nanoparticles obtained from Iron (III) oxide by the Pechini method. Data in brief, 2019. 25 : p. 104183. Hwang, S., et al., Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles for phenyl hydrazine sensor applications. Sensor Letters, 2014. 12 (1): p. 97-101. Ansari, M.S., et al., Kinetic studies on the catalytic degradation of rhodamine b by hydrogen peroxide: Effect of surfactant coated and non-coated iron (III) oxide nanoparticles. Polymers, 2020. 12 (10): p. 2246. Mayerhöfer, T.G., et al., Consolidated silica glass from nanoparticles. Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 2008. 181 (9): p. 2442-2447. Saravanan, S. and R. Dubey, Synthesis of SiO2 nanoparticles by sol-gel method and their optical and structural properties. Rom. J. Inf. Sci. Technol, 2020. 23 : p. 105-112. Azeez, H.S. and M.R. Mohammad, Study the structure, morphology and vibration modes for K2CrO4 and K2Cr2O7. Al-Nahrain Journal of Science, 2017. 20 (2). Stammreich, H., et al., The vibrational spectrum of the dichromate ion. Spectrochimica Acta, 1958. 13 (3): p. 192-196. Hedberg, Y.S., et al., Welding fume nanoparticles from solid and flux-cored wires: Solubility, toxicity, and role of fluorides. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021. 413 : p. 125273. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Apr, 2023 Reviewers invited by journal 30 Apr, 2023 Editor invited by journal 28 Apr, 2023 Editor assigned by journal 26 Apr, 2023 First submitted to journal 24 Apr, 2023 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-2848221","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":196322065,"identity":"e77ed0d5-68a7-401e-8611-9cc7193cc967","order_by":0,"name":"Vishal Vats","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Teesside University","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Vishal","middleName":"","lastName":"Vats","suffix":""},{"id":196322066,"identity":"587f2ae8-ce32-443f-98e7-a346de55ffe2","order_by":1,"name":"Geoff Melton","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"TWI Ltd","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Geoff","middleName":"","lastName":"Melton","suffix":""},{"id":196322067,"identity":"176de136-0f0b-4cdf-a395-ea6619c61597","order_by":2,"name":"Meez Islam","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Teesside University","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Meez","middleName":"","lastName":"Islam","suffix":""},{"id":196322068,"identity":"b848031e-180b-4570-8957-c848d41010a9","order_by":3,"name":"Venkatesan Venkata Krishnan","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA60lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACNgaGBIYDQAbzAbgYYwNxWtgS4QoJa2EAa+ExJE6LwQG2tA8P/tzJ45/d8/3Bh4o6Bv72A2ySM/BrOTwjse1ZscSdsxsbZ5w5zCBxJoFNcgMeLZIN7M0MiQ2HExtu5G5s5m0DuvAGA5vkA0JaEv4cTpx/I+dh899/dQzyhLTwM7AdZkhgO5y44UYOYzNjAzODAUgLPofxM7MlMyS2HU7ceCPNcGbPscM8hmcSmy3xeZ+Nvc2Y8QfQYfNuJD/48KOmTk7u+OGDN3vwaGFgRuPzEIzIUTAKRsEoGAWEAQCtEVMOO1PyowAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Teesside University","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Venkatesan","middleName":"Venkata","lastName":"Krishnan","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2023-04-22 11:05:37","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2848221/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2848221/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":36582682,"identity":"412dbf53-6ee8-4585-9bbe-85bfa26034c0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:15:34","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":29322,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchematic of Welding setup\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/7ac8fa8a88a56371848fc267.jpg"},{"id":36582984,"identity":"0ccdc9ee-ac7f-4c10-abad-bdcb1986d19d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:23:34","extension":"jpg","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":32711,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData sets represented by different corelations coefficients\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/bf33df276ed3bce41c1087c7.jpg"},{"id":36582678,"identity":"365c664a-8548-4097-b14a-55e6f6449e54","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:15:33","extension":"jpg","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":101054,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 4: FTIR data of stainless-steel wire welding fume samples\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/74cd2e507dc7a503205b0566.jpg"},{"id":36582680,"identity":"d9de4628-0856-432e-b41a-dd08a898d333","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:15:33","extension":"jpg","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":59705,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 5: FTIR data of Flux cored wire welding fume samples (FCW1 to 4)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/5052df46db7c6b33a8c49097.jpg"},{"id":36582987,"identity":"85677870-068e-4401-818e-1fdd45b58be5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:23:34","extension":"jpg","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":86130,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 6: XRD of welding fume samples\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/781e1164620127831f19e2c0.jpg"},{"id":36583170,"identity":"98b75673-d0cf-4bc4-8e9f-d66e641f4bc2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:31:34","extension":"jpg","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":78827,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 7: SEM images of flux cored wire welding fume samples\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/0a504e4c944ff685a623a9f1.jpg"},{"id":36583169,"identity":"330906f4-b5bf-4b42-93e2-5a2cbf761d16","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:31:33","extension":"jpg","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":90888,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFigure 8: SEM images of solid stainless steel wire welding fume samples\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/87ba7453480d2451741c567f.jpg"},{"id":36583171,"identity":"e58b276a-6ddc-42ea-8ff6-f21aaf49ce74","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2023-05-03 15:31:39","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1034283,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2848221/v1/a4d3472c-0241-4c8c-82f0-51bf895557d5.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"Effect of the oxidation potential of shielding gas on Cr (VI) generation during Metal Inert/ Active Gas Welding (MIG/ MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes","fulltext":[{"header":"I. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eParticulates and gases generated during the welding of metals are hazardous to the health of welders[1\u0026ndash;3]. Hexavalent chromium is one among the many hazardous components generated during the welding of stainless steels [2, 4\u0026ndash;7]. Welders working on stainless steels as an occupational group demonstrate increased risk of cancer later in life due to the exposure to hexavalent chromium [7\u0026ndash;9]. This risk can be reduced significantly if exposure to hexavalent chromium is reduced at the source. Hexavalent Cr and other undesirable components in welding fumes are inadequately controlled simply through local exhaust ventilation or personal respiratory protection because of high costs of implementation, and the burden of individual responsibility placed upon the workers themselves. Welding fumes are usually generated during the welding processes at high temperature by the processes of vaporisation, oxidation, and condensation [10\u0026ndash;12]. The main contributor to these fumes is the filler material in the welding electrodes which contributes about 90% of the welding fumes [13]. Welding wires used to weld stainless steel are rich in chromium and when the welding arc strikes, the chromium and alkali elements present in the welding wire reacts with each other to forms the alkaline chromates and dichromates such as Na\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eCrO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e, K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eCrO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e, K\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eCr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e, NaK\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e(CrO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and NaK\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e(Cr\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e [5, 6, 14, 15]\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe above mechanisms have been verified, by usage of FTIR spectroscopy [16], which provides a clear detection of chromates and dichromates, whereas Ion Chromatography (IC) is able to quantify an overall proportion of Cr(VI) from the total Cr, which in turn is measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eShielding Gases and their Oxidation Potentials\u003c/b\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen the consumables melt at high temperatures, they form molten droplets which are exposed to the ambient environment as they cool down. These droplets are at high temperature and have high potential to oxidise, which may affect the structural integrity of the weld. To protect the weld and the molten metal from contamination, different shielding gases are used which envelope the weld during welding and provide protection from atmospheric oxygen. Shielding gases are not just added to protect the metal droplet during welding but also for stabilising the arc to ensure smooth transmission of material, and for providing cooling to the welding torch and the weld pool. Examples of shielding gases include - CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e mixed with argon during welding of stainless steel, in order to improve arc stability and decreasing the spatter formation [17]. At lower CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e levels, more fume formation has been reported as there is more spattering which eventually decreases with the percentage increase of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e in argon, but at CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e levels greater than 5%, fume formation begins to increase, due to the oxidising nature of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (since it dissociates into CO and O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e in welding arc) [18]. In summary, although shielding gases are used to protect the weld from oxidation, in literature it has been found that the oxygen content of the shielding gas, especially the proportion of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e does affect the FFR (fume formation rate) in different ways[17\u0026ndash;20], and thus hinting at the fact that there appears to be an optimal Oxygen content, necessary in the shielding gases.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHence oxygen is an important element with respect to welding fume formation. Due to the oxidising nature of the O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e/CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e mixture, the Cr (III) to Cr (VI) oxidation can be enhanced during welding processes. Previous studies also talk about the FFR and does not focus on impact of shielding gases on Cr(VI) generation. Hence, it is important to study the effects of oxygen in the shielding gas on Cr (VI) formation during welding.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eShielding gas thermal conductivity and effect on arc temperature\u003c/b\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShielding gases also affect the thermal conductivity and temperature of arc. Pure argon and oxygen both have low thermal conductivity which means that the temperature of the arc will be higher than in the case of carbon dioxide [19]. Hence, a higher level of oxidation of Cr (III) to Cr (VI) in the Ar-O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e gas mixture can occur. However, in the case of CO\u003csub\u003e2,\u003c/sub\u003e when mixed with argon, it is very difficult to predict the extent of Cr(III) oxidation as CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e is known to enhance the thermal conductivity of the arc [20], which would alter local temperature profiles. CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e also dissociates into to carbon monoxide and oxygen in welding arc, and this dissociation is endothermic in nature near the arc and this will lead to drop in temperature and thus creates the difference in the temperatures between the arc where the dissociation occurs, and the region external to the dissociation [21].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe other important factor which needs to be kept in mind during these experiments is the effect of droplet size, as majority of the fumes generates from the surface of droplet by evaporation[22]. The size of droplets generated during welding can have a significant impact on their surface temperature. When smaller droplets are formed, such as those created during spray or pulsed transfer, they tend to have cooler surface temperatures compared to larger droplets, such as those formed during globular transfer. This is because smaller droplets have much better heat transfer characteristics from the arc spot to the liquid-solid interface of the electrode. This means that heat can dissipate more easily from the droplet's surface, resulting in a lower surface temperature. In contrast, larger droplets have a greater barrier to heat transfer, causing the surface temperature to remain higher [22]. This distinction in droplet size and temperature can affect the evaporation from the droplet surface and oxidation of the weld droplet. The oxidation by the shielding gases can impact the Cr(VI) composition in the fumes, thus it makes more stimulating to study the link between the shielding gases and the Cr(VI) generation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is important to investigate the effect of shielding gases compositions on Cr (VI) formation (because of its toxicity profile) as the role of the oxidising potential is not clearly reported. With different gas mixtures, one may see the effects on Cr (VI) formation and be able to study which factor has a greater impact on the results. The Cr(VI) speciation has been detected and identified by FTIR and quantified as by Ion Chromatography (IC).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"II. Materials and methods","content":"\u003ch2\u003ea. Collection of welding fumes \u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWelding trials were carried out with an inverter MIG/ MAG power source operating in the open arc transfer mode (globular transfer mode with non-pulse current). Welding conditions were set manually on the power source and recorded(average voltage and current) - as mentioned in Table 2. Wire feed rate for the welding was set to 10.2 m/ min. CTWD (Contact Tip to Work Distance) was set to 20 mm. A standard swan neck welding torch was connected to the power source and clamped by the handle above a moving traverse. The torch nozzle was angled at 90 degrees to the vertical and welding progressed in the \u0026lsquo;push\u0026rsquo; direction. A fume hood as specified in \u003cem\u003eEN ISO 15011-1 - Health and safety in welding and allied processes \u0026mdash; Laboratory method for sampling fume and gases Part 1: Determination of fume emission rate during arc welding and collection of fume for analysis (2009), (Annex A, Design 2),\u003c/em\u003e was suspended above the welding torch to collect the welding fume. The welding setup for experiments is shown in Figure 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWelding was carried out on 304SS plates (500 X 50 X 10 mm), clamped in a fixture on the traverse and the weld progressed by moving the plate under a stationary welding torch. The travel speed of traverse was set up to 300 mm/min. The welding fumes were sucked through the fume hood and collected by the cellulose filter paper inserted on the top of hood. Cellulose filter paper was used, as it is an inert medium, and would not contaminate the fume sample. Samples can also be easily brushed off from these filter paper easily. The fumes were brushed off from the filter paper after the welding and further analysis on the fumes was carried out. The filler material used for welding was 1.2 mm diameter flux cored wires (EN ISO 17633-A-T 19 9 L P C/M 1) and solid stainless steel 1mm diameter (EN ISO 14343-A: G 19 9 L Si) wires. Typical composition of the materials as provided by the supplier is listed in Table 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1: Composition of consumables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"589\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"44.89795918367347%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(% W/ W)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.16326530612245%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMn\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.714285714285714%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.095238095238095%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCr\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"44.89795918367347%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBase Plate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.16326530612245%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.714285714285714%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.095238095238095%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18.0-20.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.0-10.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"44.89795918367347%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSolid stainless steel wire consumable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.16326530612245%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.714285714285714%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.90\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.095238095238095%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"44.89795918367347%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlux cored wire consumable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.16326530612245%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.06\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.714285714285714%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.095238095238095%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.564625850340136%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eb. Welding fume Samples, and Oxygen Index (OI)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen investigating the effect of shielding gases on welding fumes, Oxygen Index is the key parameter for investigation. Oxygen Index (OI) is defined by IIW (International Institute of Welding) by an empirical formula, (OI = %O\u003csub\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003e+ \u0026frac12;* %CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e), and this is used in our experiments to estimate the oxidising effect of the shielding gases. In welding literature, the oxidising effect is also referred to as the oxygen potential. Solid molten metal interacts with shielding gases which leads to fume formation, followed by condensation \u0026ndash; therefore, shielding gas is a very \u0026nbsp;important factor which can lead to Cr (VI) formation from Cr (III). The different welding fumes samples generated by varying shielding gases) are as listed in Table 2. Not all \u0026nbsp;these shielding gases mixtures are recommended for welding stainless steels, but they were used to provide a wide range of oxygen index.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2: Welding fume samples and welding conditions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"614\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSample name\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsumable\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShielding gases\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e index (OI)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWelding Current\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Amps)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWelding Voltage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Volts)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSolid Stainless-Steel Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100% \u0026nbsp;Ar\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e185\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSolid Stainless-Steel Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98% Ar \u0026nbsp;+ 2% O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSolid Stainless-Steel Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e98% Ar + 2% CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e190\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e27.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSolid Stainless-Steel Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92% Ar + 8% CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSolid Stainless-Steel Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e93%Ar + 2%O\u003csub\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003e+ 5%CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlux Cored Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100% Ar\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e260\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlux Cored Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80% Ar + 20% CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e230\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlux Cored Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e83% Ar \u0026nbsp;+ 15% CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e + 2% O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.5%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e225\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.749185667752442%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"18.078175895765472%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFlux Cored Wire\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"13.843648208469055%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e78% Ar + 20% CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e + 2% O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"12.37785016286645%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20.03257328990228%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e225\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"24.9185667752443%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e32.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese welding fume samples were collected on cellulose filters and then brushed off and stored in glass vials. ICP-MS was carried out to detect the elemental composition of these fumes. Simultaneously using another batch of the sample, ion chromatography (IC) was carried out with the purpose of measurement of Cr(VI) in welding fume composition. Particle size and elemental composition of the welding fumes was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) . SEM images were taken by Zeiss \u0026sum;igma FEGSEM. The phase analysis and crystal structure of the welding fume particles were analysed by XRD using a Siemens D501 Diffractometer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFTIR was performed using a Thermo Fisher iS5 attached with a ID7 ATR accessory. The FTIR spectra were obtained after 128 scans with 2cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003eresolution in absorbance mode. The background was measured for each sample and subtracted from the final spectra.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"III. Results and Discussions","content":"\u003ch2\u003ea. ICP and Ion Chromatography (IC)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3 displays the ICP-MS data of welding fumes generated using different shielding gases.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTracking the levels of total Cr and Cr(VI) by ICP-MS and IC, respectively, it is observed clearly, that while total Cr levels in fumes formed from solid SS wire consumable, i.e., SS1 through to SS5, are very much higher than those for Flux Cored Wires, the quantity of Cr(VI) observed is much lesser in the case of solid SS wires. This data is consistent across the board, for all the shielding gas combinations. For example, in the case for FCW1, over 90% of the Cr formed, is Cr(VI), and even FCW3 which has the lowest proportion of Cr(VI) among the flux cored wires, has as much as 23.87%. Contrast this with the SS samples (Solid SS Wire), where the proportion of Cr(VI) is less than 5% of the total Cr. \u0026nbsp;Interestingly, the total Cr content in the FCW fumes is much lower than that observed for the solid SS wires. Higher levels of alkali metals are observed in the FCW samples, and this is clearly due to the composition of the fluxes. The fume compositions for the solid SS wire samples, are largely reflecting of the stainless-steel composition itself, viz., Fe, Cr, Mn, and Ni. A more granular statistical analysis of the trends as a function of shielding gases, follows.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3: Elemental composition of welding fumes (% mass /mass basis)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"652\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(% m/ m)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFCW4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSS5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAl\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCa\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCr\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCr(VI) (IC)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.55\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.62\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFe\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e44.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e15.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMn\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNa\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"14.39509954058193%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e% Cr (VI) in total Cr\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e95.23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"11.638591117917304%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"10.10719754977029%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e39.23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.79\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.34\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"8.728943338437979%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis observation is very critical in understanding the role played by shielding gases and may be rationalized in light of general fume formation mechanisms proposed in literature. The fume formation during welding happens by two mechanisms, firstly, via the vaporisation of the metal or compounds near the arc and subsequent condensation of the species, oxidation may follow during condensation [23]. The second method is enhanced vaporisation by formation of more volatile oxides on the surface of the weld droplet, followed by condensation and further oxidation [23]. The first mechanism occurs regularly and is inevitable, but the second can be influenced by shielding gases, i.e., either \u0026nbsp;minimised or enhanced [23]. If oxidation potential of the shielding gas is lowered, it is possible that the second mechanism can be lowered too. Argon has the lowest oxidation potential amongst the all the shielding gases used, hence there is very low possibility of the second type of fume formation and due to which least amount of total chromium is observed, from both types of consumables (SS and FCW). With regard to Cr(VI) it is known that during welding, Cr(VI) stabilises itself by forming chromates and dichromates of alkali or alkaline earth metals. Since the solid stainless-steel consumables do not have any alkali or alkaline earth metals present in them, the generation of Cr(VI) depends highly on oxidation from the shielding gas, and there is less possibility of second fume formation mechanism during welding with argon as the shielding gas. However, in the case of \u0026nbsp;flux cored wires the Cr(VI) formation depends on multiple factors in addition to oxidation from shielding gas. In flux cored consumables (FCW) the presence of alkaline earth metals such as sodium and potassium have a significant role in Cr(VI) formation. Hence the oxidation of these alkali/ alkaline earth metals also plays a role in Cr(VI) formation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing argon as the shielding gas for flux cored wire consumables, much lower quantity of \u0026nbsp;Fe, Mn, Ni and Ti are observed, compared to oxidising gases. But this is not the case with solid stainless consumables. Fumes from solid stainless-steel consumables show the highest amount of iron and nickel in them when welding using argon. However, to understand the role of shielding gases in details, one needs to use statistical correlation coefficients. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eb. Statistical Analysis:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the broad differences between the SS and FCW consumables are clearly discernible, the role played by shielding gases for either type of consumable requires detailed probing.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to the complexity in interpreting the trends obtained from IC/ ICP, \u0026nbsp;Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients were used to understand the relation of different elements and the oxidation index of shielding gases in relation with the hexavalent chromium generation in welding fumes. In generic cases, Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients are used to measure the strength of relationships between any two variables. It is a statistical test and therefore it only measures the statistical relationships between two variables. Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients are represented by \u0026lsquo;r\u0026rsquo; and they are derived using the following formula.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" width=\"447\" height=\"228\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients value ranges from -1 to 1 and they represent the degree of association. If the value (r) is \u0026plusmn;1 then it signifies a perfect correlation. \u0026nbsp;Perfect correlation means, if one variable increase then the other variable will also increase proportionally if the value is +1 and if its -1 then the other variable value will decrease. If the value lies between \u0026plusmn;0.50 and \u0026plusmn;1 then it is considered as a strong correlation. \u0026nbsp;If the values are between \u0026plusmn;0.30 and \u0026plusmn;0.49, then it is said to be medium correlation and if the values lie below \u0026plusmn;0.29 then it is considered as a small correlation. If the correlation value is zero, then there is no correlation between the variables. \u0026nbsp;As an example, different values of correlations alongside their data point representation are demonstrated in the Figure 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ec. Effects of shielding gases on Cr(VI) formation in welding fumes generated by solid stainless-steel consumables.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4 demonstrates the Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients of solid stainless-steel consumable welding fumes elements and their oxygen index.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4: Pearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients of stainless-steel (SS) consumable welding fumes - elements and oxygen index (OI)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" height=\"206\" width=\"583\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data in Table 4 shows the correlation coefficients between several elements (Y\u003csub\u003ei\u003c/sub\u003e) vs key parameters (Cr levels, Cr(VI) levels and Oxygen Index [OI]), obtained by using the Pearson\u0026rsquo;s coefficient formula mentioned earlier. Table 4 shows the strong positive correlation (0.98) between Mn and OI of the shielding gases, whereas we observe the strong negative correlation between OI of shielding gases and Fe (-0.84) and Ni (-0.95). It indicated that with the increase in the oxygen content of the shielding gases we observe less Fe and Ni in welding fumes which is not expected since during welding process Fe and Ni oxidises and forms the spinal oxides. Person\u0026rsquo;s coefficient of Cr(VI) and OI (i.e -0.31) also doesn\u0026rsquo;t show us the clear representation in understanding the role of shielding gases and Cr(VI) generation. For SS consumables, the range of OI\u0026rsquo;s is not very extensive (OI\u0026rsquo;s vary from 0 to 4.5 only, ref. Table 1), since only specific gas combinations are widely employed in industry to protect the structural integrity of joints. \u0026nbsp;Aforementioned gases (gases used by industry for welding SS with solid wire) for \u0026nbsp;welding with SS electrodes do not provide large alterations in their oxidation indices and as a result not \u0026nbsp;much difference is observed in the composition of the elements by ICP data (Table 3.).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHence, to study the effects of shielding gases on Cr(VI) generation in solid wire electrodes, a different approach was used by comparing the effect of oxidising gases to non-oxidising gases, such as CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and mixture of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003e+ O\u003csub\u003e2 \u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003e each mixed with argon.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile thermodynamics determine the potential for formation of different types of oxides, kinetics determine the nucleation and growth of oxides, as seen in the welding fumes\u0026nbsp;[24, 25]. In welding fume formation, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the formation of oxides are determined by the temperature of arc, temperature of the weld pool, exposure periods (speed of weld), oxidation index of the shielding gas and chemical composition (type of consumable). The correlation coefficients show that as the oxidation index of the shielding gas is increased, there is a decrease in the content of iron and nickel in welding fumes and an increase in the content of manganese. It would appear that the iron and nickel do not oxidise in the presence of more oxygen from the shielding gas, but this is not the case. It must be borne in mind that welding is a metal deposition process and fumes are only, the by-products; therefore, the better the welding conditions and more stable the arc, the better the metal deposition and lesser the by-product i.e., welding fumes. In welding fumes, Cr(VI) is generated by chemical reactions occurring in the arc and during the solidification and nucleation of fume particles, whereas Fe is present in large amounts in the consumables, and hence, the presence of iron in the fume depends mainly on the quality of welding, i.e., if the arc is not stable, we experience more spattering, and this would increase the Fe content in the welding fumes. Shielding gases such as O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e provide better arc stability then Ar. Hence, we observe the maximum amount of Fe in fumes from Ar as a shielding gas. CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e have different properties such as CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e has high ionisation energy of dissociation. CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e dissociates \u0026nbsp;into carbon \u0026nbsp;monoxide and oxygen which is not provided by oxygen alone, as a result CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e gives deep penetration and high voltage and better arc stability which was observe \u0026nbsp;during the generation of SS3 and SS4 fume samples. Because of this stable arc we observe less Cr(VI) and Fe in our samples where CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e was mixed with other shielding gases compared to SS2 which was Ar mixed with 2% O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e. Although oxygen stabilises the arc when mixed with Ar, it has low thermal conductivity and as a result its oxidising effect is greater, compared to CO\u003csub\u003e2\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003e, and we observe more Cr(VI) \u0026nbsp;and Fe in 2% oxygen and Argon mixture compared to the situation with 8% carbon dioxide and Argon mixture which has higher oxygen index. The best results are observed in the mixture of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e as we observe the least amount of Cr(VI) in these samples among all oxidising shielding gases mixtures. From these results we can conclude that oxygen index does play a role in Cr(VI) generation as we observe the least amount of Cr(VI) in non-oxidising gases i.e., \u0026nbsp;Ar, but while using oxidising shielding gases which are more practical in terms of welding, a mixture of both oxygen and CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e provides the best results for minimising Cr(VI) generation while at the same time, \u0026nbsp;improving arc stability and the weld properties. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ed. Effects of shielding gases on Cr(VI) formation in welding fumes generated by flux cored consumables\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePearson\u0026rsquo;s correlation coefficients of flux cored consumable welding fumes elements and oxygen index\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" width=\"613\" height=\"328\"\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 5 shows the Pearson\u0026rsquo;s coefficients for fluxed cored consumable welding fumes and their oxygen index. Oxygen, which is present or generated in oxidising shielding gases, oxidises elemental species present in the fumes and thus increases their quantities in the fume, and this is observed for Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Ti \u0026ndash; this is reflected in their r-values, of 0.99, 0.83, 0.73, 0.91 and 0.72, respectively; however, Pearson\u0026rsquo;s coefficient for Cr(VI) (IC data) with respect to the OI, shows a negative value, i.e., -0.66, i.e., reduction of Cr(VI) with OI, which was unexpected. The maximum amount of Cr (VI) in the FCW1 sample which was generated with 100% Ar gas (OI = 0), which is inert in nature, i.e., zero capability for any form of oxidation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand this better, \u0026nbsp;slag samples from the welding trials were collected and analysed using ICP/ IC for their elemental composition, which \u0026nbsp;is shown in the Table 6.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 6: Elemental composition of slag samples of the FCW welding experiments (ICP); For Cr(VI), IC data is presented.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"610\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e% w/w\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlag from FCW1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlag from FCW2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlag from FCW3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlag from FCW4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAl\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCr\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCr(VI) (IC)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFe\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMn\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNa\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.8\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTi\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e36.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e33.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOxygen index\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd width=\"20%\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSample FCW1 shows the highest amount of Cr(VI), K and Na in the fume sample (Table 3), whereas in the slag samples it shows the least amount of Na and K. Therefore, it is likely that Na and K do indeed react with Cr in welding electrodes and generate Na and K chromates and dichromates, as a result of which the amount of Na and K is least in the slag. \u0026nbsp;In the fume samples FCW2, FCW3 and FCW3 we observe less Cr(VI) because, it is likely, that some of the available Na and K may react with oxygen and form alkali oxides or peroxides. Welding fluxes contain sodium and potassium in the form of silicates as a binder. Sodium and potassium silicates are mixtures of silica with sodium and potassium carbonates. During welding (because of high temperature) in presence of oxygen, these potassium and sodium carbonates dissociates into sodium oxide and carbon dioxide via following reaction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cimg src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" width=\"267\" height=\"28\"\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSodium oxide forms the slag to protect the weld from oxidation and carbon dioxide is released as a gas, but during limited supply of oxygen ( in FCW1 ) sodium carbonates dissociates into CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and Na ion and this sodium ion reacts with chromium (III) to form chromium (VI) chromates and dichromates. Fume sample FCW2 (oxygen index 10) does not have oxygen as the shielding gas and therefore regardless of having a lower oxygen index than FCW4 (oxygen index 12) it has more Cr(VI). Hence, it is apparent from the data on the slag and the fumes, that shielding gases comprising O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e lower Cr(VI) emission during welding.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ee. FTIR\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order to establish the above hypothesis, for the Chromate/ Dichromate formation pathway for FCW welds, FTIR was carried out on the fumes generated. Prior experiments on a range of arc-welding experiments have established FTIR as a very powerful tool to identify Chromate/ Dichromate species[16]. Figure 4 shows the FTIR data for welding fumes generated by MIG/ MAG welding using solid stainless-steel wire (SS1 to SS5). Welding fumes from solid wires are rich in iron oxide compounds and as a result, all the samples show the broad peak before 700 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e wavenumber which is due the large amount of iron spinels the peak around 690 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e wavenumbers is caused due to the Fe-O antisymmetric stretching [26-28]. To observe minor peaks the FTIR spectra were plotted in the narrow range (600-2000 wavenumber).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll these fume samples also show the peak around wavenumber 725 cm\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp;-1\u003c/sup\u003e which is due to Fe-O-H vibration[16]. Peaks in the range of 930-950 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e in different samples are due to the vibration of Cr=O and this vibration is observed in CrO\u003csub\u003e3,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003ewhich could be the Cr (VI) compound observed in solid stainless steel wire welding fumes\u0026nbsp;[16]. Vibration peaks in the range of 1020-1035 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e is due the vibration of the Si-O-Si symmetric stretching mode indicating the presence of SiO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e in welding fumes [29, 30]. The peaks after 1100 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e are indicative of organic compounds. , likely due to the presence of small quantities of carbon in stainless steel. The peak around 1630 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003ecan be assigned to O-H bending vibrations, which hint at the absorbed H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO molecules on fume samples.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 5 shows FTIR spectra for flux cored arc welding fumes (FCW) under its own set of shielding gases (Refer to Table 2 for the shielding gases used).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs mentioned earlier, flux cored wires have alkali and alkaline earth elements in them, which significantly form chromates and dichromates and this is clearly seen in the FTIR peaks, at 725, 832, 853, 884, 890, 886, and 971 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e . Prior work [16, 31] has demonstrated similar peaks as well, identifiable clearly by FTIR. A vibrational peak shift from their characteristic peaks is seen in all samples, due to the fact that the compounds formed in the fumes, are not in their pure phases. Welding fumes contain different mixed oxide phases and mixed metal oxide spinel. FTIR peaks at wavenumber 832cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e and 853 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e are due to the formation of chromates, as these peaks are indicative of \u0026nbsp;Cr-O-Cr vibrations [31, 32]. FTIR peaks at 884, 890 and 886 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e is due to formation of dichromates, as these peaks are caused by Cr-O\u003csub\u003e3\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003esymmetric vibrations. FTIR peaks around 730 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e are due to the Cr-O-Cr symmetric stretching molecular vibrations of dichromates [16]. FTIR vibrational peaks around 960 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e are due to the Cr=O vibration indicating the presence of CrO\u003csub\u003e3\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003ein these samples. FTIR Peaks at 1110 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e are due to silica compounds as this indicates the Si-O-Si stretching. This peak is not observed as a sharp peak in FCW1 and FCW2 samples because of the interference by Cr (VI) peak at 975 and we see a broadening of the peak. FTIR peaks between 1200-1500 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003eare due to carbon organic compounds (observed in various degrees, among the samples), and the peak at 1648.5 cm\u003csup\u003e-1\u003c/sup\u003e is due to the O-H bending vibrations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn summary, FTIR data complement the Chromate/ Dichromate formation chemistry, which is strongly suspected, from the ICP/ IC data. As in previous work [16], while IC data provides a general quantitative indication of Cr(VI) in welding fumes, FTIR goes one step further and identifies the vibration modes which are clearly indicative of Chromates/ \u0026nbsp; Dichromates/ CrO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ef. XRD\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigure 6 shows the XRD data of the welding fumes from both type of arc welding electrodes solid stainless steels wires electrodes (SS2,SS4) and flux cored wire electrodes (FCW2,FCW4). SS1 and SS2 shows the almost similar XRD peak profile apart from peak at 44.5 and 50.7 2q value in SS4 sample. The peaks which are at 2-q values of 30, 35, 43, 56.2, 62.3\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003e are reflective of spinels, AB\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e4,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sub\u003ewith A, and B = Fe, Cr, Mn, and/or Ni, where the A site is Fe, and B could be a combination of Mn, Cr and/or Ni. However, due to the very small particle sizes (very broad peaks), the A and B sites could also include dopants such as Mn, Cr, and/or Ni in different proportions [11, 33]. The XRD peaks observed were broad, indicating small crystallite or particle sizes, which was further confirmed by SEM measurements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SEM data, as shown in Figures 7 and 8 were used to determine the average particle size of the welding fumes. It was found that the welding fumes from stainless steel wire electrodes had an average particle size of 32.6nm, while those from FCW electrodes had an average particle size of 93nm.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XRD patterns of FCW2 and FCW4 exhibited peaks at 2\u0026theta; angles of approximately 30\u0026deg;, 35\u0026deg;, 43\u0026deg;, 56.2\u0026deg;, and 62.3\u0026deg;, which were also observed in the SS2 and SS4 samples. These peaks suggest the presence of spinel oxides, which are commonly found in solid stainless-steel wire electrodes. Additionally, the peaks observed in the flux cored wire fume samples (FCW2 and FCW4) can be attributed to the formation of both alkali-alkaline earth fluoride phases and spinel oxides. These alkali-alkaline earth fluoride phases can be observed at the \u0026nbsp;2-q \u0026nbsp;values of \u0026nbsp;20.8\u0026deg;, 38.3\u0026deg;, \u0026nbsp; and 40.7\u0026deg;[33].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"IV. Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eICP data indicates that the shielding gases play an important role in the elemental composition of welding fumes, and most importantly Cr(VI) levels. Results from XRD, SEM, suggests that there is no effect of shielding gases on the structure of the welding fume particles but ICP clearly shows the effect of shielding gases on composition of the fumes. Fume particles generated during welding using different shielding gases have similar spinel structure. Shielding gases can be inert (like Ar) or have some O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e levels in them, either as pure O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, or via CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e which provides some O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e during the decomposition under welding arc environments. Hence an ideal parameter for shielding gas investigation is Oxygen Index (OI). In the case of solid stainless-steel wires as the consumable, the oxidation index (OI) of shielding gases plays a direct role, i.e., least amount of Cr(VI) is observed in the fume, with argon as a shielding gas compared to other oxidising shielding gases. Along with the oxidation index of shielding gases the other important variables are the arc stability and ionisation potential of the shielding gases. Since mixture of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and O\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e provide the most stable arc, this also contributes to least amount of Cr(VI) among the other oxidising shielding gas mixture, irrespective of having the highest oxygen index.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, ICP data of welding fumes from flux cored wires shows the strong negative correlation between the oxygen index of shielding gases and Cr(VI) formation. The highest amount of Cr(VI) is observed in the sample generated using Ar as the shielding gas (OI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0). This is due to the fact that flux cored wires contain Na and K in them which lead to further oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) in welding fumes - the absence of oxygen they mostly react with Cr and form chromates and dichromates, and as a result the highest amount of Cr(VI) in FCW1 sample compared to other samples. In FCW samples where other oxidising shielding gases are used, a decrease in the Cr(VI) is observed, since Na and K reacts with the oxygen and forms oxides, as well, thereby lowering the chromates and dichromate formation, which is reflected in lower Cr(VI) observed in IC. This is also confirmed clearly by FTIR data which identify the presence of Cr(VI) in the form of chromates, dichromates and chromium trioxide (in FCW), whereas solid stainless-steel (SS) consumables do not show any chromates and dichromates peaks, albeit showing CrO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch1\u003eAcknowledgements\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research is funded by TWI\u0026rsquo;s Core Research Programme, a market-driven programme of research and development activities that underpin the creation and optimisation of joining, materials, and engineering technologies. https://www.twi-global.com/crp . The work was enabled through, and undertaken at, the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC), a postgraduate engineering facility for industry-led research into structural integrity established and managed by TWI through a network of both national and international Universities. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the provision of facilities from the School of Computing, Engineering \u0026amp; Digital Technologies of the Teesside University. The authors would like to acknowledge the HSE Science and Research Centre Buxton for helping to carry out ICP-MS and IC.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eCredit authorship contribution statement\u0026nbsp;\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVishal Vats: Conceptualization, Literature survey, Experimental Investigations (FTIR, XRD, SEM, Sample synthesis, and Welding work), Analysis Methodology, Writing and editing. \u0026nbsp;Venkatesan V. Krishnan: Project Supervision, Resources, Monitoring, and technical help Writing \u0026ndash; reviewing and feedback. Geoff Melton: Project administration, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Technical help, Resources, Writing - review and feedback. Meez Islam: Spectroscopy expertise, Chemistry feedback,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of Interests\u003c/strong\u003e: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eH\u0026auml;nninen, H., et al., \u003cem\u003eInternal load of aluminum and the central nervous system function of aluminum welders.\u003c/em\u003e Scandinavian journal of work, environment \u0026amp; health, 1994: p. 279-285.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOberd\u0026ouml;rster, G., et al., \u003cem\u003eRole of the alveolar macrophage in lung injury: studies with ultrafine particles.\u003c/em\u003e Environmental health perspectives, 1992. \u003cstrong\u003e97\u003c/strong\u003e: p. 193-199.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHedenstedt, A., et al., \u003cem\u003eMutagenicity of fume particles from stainless steel welding.\u003c/em\u003e Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment \u0026amp; Health, 1977: p. 203-211.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMohan, S., et al., \u003cem\u003eStrategies for controlling welding fumes at the source-A review.\u003c/em\u003e Applied Mechanics and Materials, 2014. \u003cstrong\u003e592\u003c/strong\u003e: p. 2539-2545.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAshley, K., et al., \u003cem\u003eSampling and analysis considerations for the determination of hexavalent chromium in workplace air.\u003c/em\u003e Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 2003. \u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c/strong\u003e(5): p. 707-716.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMancuso, T.F., \u003cem\u003eChromium as an industrial carcinogen: Part I.\u003c/em\u003e American journal of industrial medicine, 1997. \u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e(2): p. 129-139.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoprieno, N., \u003cem\u003eInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risk of chemicals to man:\u0026quot; relevance of data on mutagenicity\u0026quot;.\u003c/em\u003e Mutation research, 1975. \u003cstrong\u003e31\u003c/strong\u003e(3): p. 210.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGibb, H.J., et al., \u003cem\u003eLung cancer among workers in chromium chemical production.\u003c/em\u003e American journal of industrial medicine, 2000. \u003cstrong\u003e38\u003c/strong\u003e(2): p. 115-126.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGOLBABAEI, F., et al., \u003cem\u003eEvaluation of parameters influencing hexavalent chromium mist sampling: a full factorial design.\u003c/em\u003e 2007.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJenkins, N., W. Pierce, and T. Eagar, \u003cem\u003eParticle size distribution of gas metal and flux cored arc welding fumes.\u003c/em\u003e Welding J, 2005. \u003cstrong\u003e84\u003c/strong\u003e(10): p. 156-163.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJenkins, N. and T. Eagar, \u003cem\u003eChemical analysis of welding fume particles.\u003c/em\u003e WELDING JOURNAL-NEW YORK-, 2005. \u003cstrong\u003e84\u003c/strong\u003e(6): p. 87.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYoon, C.S., N.W. Paik, and J.H. Kim, \u003cem\u003eFume generation and content of total chromium and hexavalent chromium in flux-cored arc welding.\u003c/em\u003e Annals of occupational hygiene, 2003. \u003cstrong\u003e47\u003c/strong\u003e(8): p. 671-680.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrown, K., \u003cem\u003eEnvironmental aspects of fume in air and water.\u003c/em\u003e Villepinte: International Institute of Welding Document, 1997: p. 1804-97.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKirichenko, K.Y., et al., \u003cem\u003eCharacterization of fume particles generated during arc welding with various covered electrodes.\u003c/em\u003e Scientific reports, 2018. \u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c/strong\u003e(1): p. 1-9.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSowards, J., et al., \u003cem\u003eCharacterization of welding fume from SMAW electrodes-Part I.\u003c/em\u003e WELDING JOURNAL-NEW YORK-, 2008. \u003cstrong\u003e87\u003c/strong\u003e(4): p. 106.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVats, V., et al., \u003cem\u003eFTIR Spectroscopy as a convenient tool for detection and identification of airborne Cr (VI) compounds arising from arc welding fumes.\u003c/em\u003e Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2023: p. 130862.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShanping, L., F. Hidetoshi, and N. Kiyoshi, \u003cem\u003eEffects of CO2 shielding gas additions and welding speed on GTA weld shape.\u003c/em\u003e Journal of materials science, 2005. \u003cstrong\u003e40\u003c/strong\u003e(9): p. 2481-2485.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarpenter, K.R., B.J. Monaghan, and J. Norrish. \u003cem\u003eInfluence of shielding gas on fume formation rate for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) of plain carbon steel\u003c/em\u003e. in \u003cem\u003eProceedings of the 8th international conference trends weld. Res\u003c/em\u003e. 2009.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTanaka, M., et al., \u003cem\u003eInfluence of shielding gas composition on arc properties in TIG welding.\u003c/em\u003e Science and technology of welding and joining, 2008. \u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c/strong\u003e(3): p. 225-231.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMing, G., Z. Xiaoyan, and H. Qianwu, \u003cem\u003eEffects of gas shielding parameters on weld penetration of CO2 laser-TIG hybrid welding.\u003c/em\u003e Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2007. \u003cstrong\u003e184\u003c/strong\u003e(1-3): p. 177-183.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKorjala, K., \u003cem\u003eHelium as a welding shielding gas: effects on CO\u003c/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e₂ emissions by helium recovery and recycling system.\u003c/em\u003e 2021.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJenkins, N., P. Mendez, and T. Eagar. \u003cem\u003eEffect of arc welding electrode temperature on vapor and fume composition\u003c/em\u003e. in \u003cem\u003eTrends in Welding Research, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference\u003c/em\u003e. 2005.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeile, R. and D. Hill, \u003cem\u003eParticulate fume generation in arc welding processes.\u003c/em\u003e Welding Journal, 1975. \u003cstrong\u003e54\u003c/strong\u003e(7): p. 201s-210s.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRAPP, R.A., \u003cem\u003eKinetics, microstructures and mechanism of internal oxidation-its effect and prevention in high temperature alloy oxidation.\u003c/em\u003e Corrosion, 1965. \u003cstrong\u003e21\u003c/strong\u003e(12): p. 382-401.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHuang, X., et al., \u003cem\u003eOxidation behavior of 316L austenitic stainless steel in high temperature air with long-term exposure.\u003c/em\u003e Materials Research Express, 2020. \u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c/strong\u003e(6): p. 066517.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVargas, M.A., J.E. Diosa, and E. Mosquera, \u003cem\u003eData on study of hematite nanoparticles obtained from Iron (III) oxide by the Pechini method.\u003c/em\u003e Data in brief, 2019. \u003cstrong\u003e25\u003c/strong\u003e: p. 104183.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHwang, S., et al., \u003cem\u003eSynthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles for phenyl hydrazine sensor applications.\u003c/em\u003e Sensor Letters, 2014. \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e(1): p. 97-101.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnsari, M.S., et al., \u003cem\u003eKinetic studies on the catalytic degradation of rhodamine b by hydrogen peroxide: Effect of surfactant coated and non-coated iron (III) oxide nanoparticles.\u003c/em\u003e Polymers, 2020. \u003cstrong\u003e12\u003c/strong\u003e(10): p. 2246.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMayerh\u0026ouml;fer, T.G., et al., \u003cem\u003eConsolidated silica glass from nanoparticles.\u003c/em\u003e Journal of Solid State Chemistry, 2008. \u003cstrong\u003e181\u003c/strong\u003e(9): p. 2442-2447.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaravanan, S. and R. Dubey, \u003cem\u003eSynthesis of SiO2 nanoparticles by sol-gel method and their optical and structural properties.\u003c/em\u003e Rom. J. Inf. Sci. Technol, 2020. \u003cstrong\u003e23\u003c/strong\u003e: p. 105-112.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAzeez, H.S. and M.R. Mohammad, \u003cem\u003eStudy the structure, morphology and vibration modes for K2CrO4 and K2Cr2O7.\u003c/em\u003e Al-Nahrain Journal of Science, 2017. \u003cstrong\u003e20\u003c/strong\u003e(2).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStammreich, H., et al., \u003cem\u003eThe vibrational spectrum of the dichromate ion.\u003c/em\u003e Spectrochimica Acta, 1958. \u003cstrong\u003e13\u003c/strong\u003e(3): p. 192-196.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHedberg, Y.S., et al., \u003cem\u003eWelding fume nanoparticles from solid and flux-cored wires: Solubility, toxicity, and role of fluorides.\u003c/em\u003e Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021. \u003cstrong\u003e413\u003c/strong\u003e: p. 125273.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"welding-in-the-world","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"witw","sideBox":"Learn more about [Welding in the World](https://www.springer.com/journal/40194)","snPcode":"40194","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/witw/","title":"Welding in the World","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2848221/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2848221/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"In this work, the role played by shielding gases in welding environments on carcinogenic Cr(VI) fume formation, is assessed. Shielding gases are characterized by oxidation index (OI), which is a crucial parameter likely to influence Cr(VI) formation in arc welding. The study found that the behavior of shielding gases towards Cr(VI) production differs between Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) and Solid wire welding (MIG/ MAG), with the OI of the shielding gas playing a much more significant role for solid wire welding. The study also found that arc stability and ionization potential, induced by the choice of the shielding gas, influence the amount of Cr(VI) produced, as well. The use of a mixture of CO2 and O2 resulted in the least amount of Cr(VI) formation for the solid wire welding. In Flux cored wires (FCW) welding, the highest amount of Cr(VI) was observed when using Argon as the shielding gas due to the presence of Na and K in the wires, which promote the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The use of oxidizing shielding gases (higher values of OI) reduces the amount of Cr(VI) formation as Na and K react with oxygen to form their oxides, reducing the tendency to form chromates and dichromates, which are the most significant Cr(VI) containing compounds in the fumes. Inductive Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Ion Chromatography (IC) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used primarily to obtain these findings, coupled with statistical techniques such as Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient.","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of the oxidation potential of shielding gas on Cr (VI) generation during Metal Inert/ Active Gas Welding (MIG/ MAG) and Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) processes","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2023-05-03 15:15:29","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-2848221/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"","date":"2023-04-30T07:19:41+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2023-04-30T07:17:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"Welding in the World","date":"2023-04-28T13:52:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2023-04-26T04:04:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Welding in the World","date":"2023-04-24T06:20:13+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"welding-in-the-world","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"witw","sideBox":"Learn more about [Welding in the World](https://www.springer.com/journal/40194)","snPcode":"40194","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/witw/","title":"Welding in the World","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"d30e61fc-2479-414e-9dca-aa6895ca4cad","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 3rd, 2023","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2023-07-07T12:15:22+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2023-05-03 15:15:29","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-2848221","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-2848221","identity":"rs-2848221","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"WrCJVZZCHTDjtuVLN7oU0","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}