Investigation on the Effect of Technological Parameters on Emission Factor in 316L Stainless Steel Using Gas Metal Arc Welding

Abstract

Growing awareness for occupational safety in the welding environment needs a sustainable welding system. Welding gases releases toxic tiny particles and gases that inflict severe health consequences in the weld zone are unsolicited. Some of the other main adverse effects are lung disease, hemoptysis, pulmonary inflammation, pneumoconiosis, etc. GMAW procedure has been used for welding 316L stainless steel plates of 3 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm. Various current configurations with gas flow rate of 5 LPM, 10 LPM and 15 LPM were also used to achieve optimum butt joint performance and to reduce the production rate of fume contributing to cost-effectiveness. In this research a cost-effective fume extraction hood was fabricated for measuring Emission factor produced during welding. Various shielding gas compositions including Pure Argon, Pure CO2, 92% Ar+8% CO2 and 88% Ar+12% CO2 were used to determine the best operating parameters in the GMAW method. To satisfy the latest Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) legislation, optimum technical parameters for efficient welding were acknowledged with the lowest emission factor. A maximum reduction of Emission factor can be achieved by using Pure Argon. The inclusion of CO2 as a shielding gas mixture gives higher emission factor when compared to Pure Argon. Very low emission factor were witnessed in this research when compared to previous investigations. Lower emission factor of 2941.17 mg /kg of electrode, 4411.76 mg/kg of electrode and 7352.94 mg/kg of electrode were obtained for pure argon as shielding gas with 150 A welding current.

Keywords

• emission factor
• shielding gas
• permissible exposure limit
• health hazards
• glass fiber filter