Abstract
The characteristics of spatter generation in the short circuit transfer region of $CO_2$ welding was investigated. Spatteriing phenomena could be classified into three types : Type I generated due to the abrupt increase of arc voltage in arcing duration. Type II by the gas ejection from molten metal and Type III generated by the arc instability at the moment of arc re-ignition just after short circuiting. Main observed types were dependent on the chemical composition of welding wires. The case of YCW12 wires was mainly composed of spatters generated by Type l and Type II, while most, spatters in YCW11 wires were generated by Type II and Type III.