Determination of the valence of the iron in welding fumes with the Kβ emission spectrum

The average valence of the iron present in the most common types of welding fumes was studied using Fe Kβ emission lines and a flat crystal spectrometer. Analysis of the energy separation Kβ1,3 – Kβ′ and the intensity ratio of the Kβ′ to Kβ1,3 yielded estimates of the predominant valence state of iron in its oxidic compounds. The presence of pure iron in the four different welding fumes is also discussed on the basis of the x-ray emission analysis.