The amount of spatter affected by gas formers, i.e. $MgCO_3$, $CaCO_3$ and $Li_2CO_3$ for self-shielded flux cored wire was observed using a high speed camera.
The results obtained are as follows:
1. The amount of spatter is proportional to the amount of gas formers. The degree of increase is in the order of $Li_2CO_3$, $CaCo_3$, $MgCO_3$, which are formulated into the flux.
2. The amount of spatter decreases in the order of $Li_2CO_3$, $CaCo_3$, $MgCO_3$, which are formulated into fluxes as the gas former.
3. The dominant factor for spattering is the surface tension of slag which is affected by gas formers for the self-shielded flux cored wire. The surface tension of slag increases in the order of $Li_2CO_3$, $CaCO_3$, $MgCO_3$. The amount of spatter is inversely proportional to the surface tension of slag.
4. Observed spattering mechanisms in this experiment are as follows:
① spattering by arc force (30-40% of total spatter)
② spattering by short circuit (approximately 10% of total spatter)
③ spattering by gas blowing force (30-40% of total spatter)
④ spattering by CO gas pore ejection from molten steel (approximately 10% of total spatter)
