University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2012 The influence of copper coating on the fume formation rate of carbon steel welding wire during the gas metal arc welding process Nicolaas Christian Bothma University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Bothma, Nicolaas Christian, The influence of copper coating on the fume formation rate of carbon steel welding wire during the gas metal arc welding process, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of Mechanical, Materials and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Wollongong, 2012. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3761 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library:
[email protected] THE INFLUENCE OF COPPER COATING ON THE FUME FORMATION RATE OF CARBON STEEL WELDING WIRE DURING THE GAS METAL ARC WELDING PROCESS A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG NICOLAAS CHRISTIAN BOTHMA FACULTY OF ENGINEERING SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL, MATERIALS AND MECHATRONICS 2012 Abstract Welding processes have been optimised to ensure that the best productivity and quality can be achieved. However to ensure that this level of optimisation and quality can be maintained the focus of research has moved towards the occupational health and safety of the welder. Fume formation rates of welding consumables is one of the areas of interest. Copper has long been used in the production of welding wires firstly as a drawing aid but of late as a protective coating on carbon steel wires to improve the shelf life of the product and secondly to decrease the electrical contact resistance.Previous studies of the fume formation rate (FFR) have indicated that copper coated welding wires produce more fume than un-coppered wires.