The report describes progress in a project designed to show the effects of deoxidation with Mn, Si, Al and Ti on the toughness, as measured by crack opening displacement (COD), of CO//2-shielded mild steel weld metal. Cleavage resistance was enhanced by the development of fine, acicular microstructures and reduced in coarser, lamellar structures. Titanium at levels greater than 0. 04% in the deposit reduced toughness by solid solution and dispersion hardening and by promoting coarser microstructures. Ductile fracture strains were shown to depend on weld metal inclusion contents, which were related to the Mn/Si ratio of wire and deposit.