Numerous studies of fume generation in the
SMAW process have been made [Evans et al.,
1979; Tandon et al., 1984; McIlwain and Neumeier, 1987], however the morphology and composition of fume particles in the respirable range (particles smaller than 4µm in diameter that can penetrate to the deepest part of the lungs where respiration occurs) have not been extensively investigated and reported.