Abstract: A flux-cored wire electrode suitable for use in gas-shielded arc-welding, characterized in that the sum of the carbon content in the sheath made of soft steel and the carbon content in a lubricant adhered on the sheath is 0.045 wt. % or lower relative to the total weight of the sheath and a flux, which contains 20-50 wt. % of TiO.sub.2, 1-15 wt. % of SiO.sub.2, 2.5-10 wt. % of ZrO.sub.2, 0.1-5 wt. % of an arc-stabilizing agent, 10-45 wt. % of a deoxidizer and up to 50 wt. % of iron powder, all based on the total weight of the flux, is filled to an amount of 10-30 wt. % of the total weight of the wire electrode in the cavity surrounded by the sheath. The above flux-cored wire electrode features a low fume emission rate comparable with that of a solid wire electrode.

Abstract: A composite wire containing a flux for use in gas-shielded arc welding of stainless steels which contains, in the flux, the following inorganic components with respect to the total weight of the wire: 0.1 to 10% by weight of an anhydrous silicate, and 0.01 to 0.75% of a metallic oxide having a melting point of no more than 888.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coated welding electrode containing at least 0.5% of Cr based on the total weight of the welding electrode and comprising a metal core and a coating flux composition. In this welding electrode, the content of Na and K components in the coating flux calculated as (Na.sub.2 O + K.sub.2 O) is reduced below 1% based on the total weight of the coating flux composition, whereby amounts of fumes generated at the welding step, especially the amount of toxic soluble Cr, are suppressed and minimized.