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The effective use of gas plays a major role along the way of welding. While the ability to lower and heat relies heavily in acetylene, a wide variety of gases are employed as shielding gases for welding. Shielding gas prevents other gases within the atmosphere from reducing the grade of the welding process. Shielding gas also has a direct impact on several other aspects with the process, including welding torch travel speed and the caliber of the weld deposit in finished form.

The type of shielding gas used depends upon the arc welding method being performed plus the material being welded. In order to meet the shielding gas needs of the particular application, gases are often times formulated into special blends. Some elements commonly used within these specialty gas combination's incorporate oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide.

ArgonThe third most common gas inside the Earth's atmosphere, argon is heavier than air and it has a low thermal rate regarding conductivity. These qualities enable argon to provide solid arc welding stability and penetration. Argon is also an inert gasoline, which allows it to provide without impacting the composition of the welded metal. As a shielding gas, argon is used on a unique for gas metal arc welding (GMAW) as well as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) on nonferrous metals including aluminum and copper. It is also used in combination with other elements for GMAW and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) projects involving the joining of steel.

OxygenThe addition of Oxygen within shielding gases for GMAW jobs can enhance arc stability. It can also improve the fluidity and wetting characteristics involving weld puddles by reducing surface tension. When used in conjunction with co2 and argon, oxygen can also provide versatility to joining certain forms of carbon steel.

HydrogenUsed primarily on austenitic and duplex stainless steels, hydrogen is known for improving the weld puddle fluidity and cleanliness of surfaces. When added in small amounts to argon, it can also provide outstanding weld bead appearance and enhance the travel speeds of GTAW jobs involving austenitic steels by around 25 percent.

NitrogenThis gas can improve weld penetration and arc stability of austenitic along with duplex stainless steels. Additionally, it is used as a shielding gas additive to increase the mechanical properties and pitting resistances involving super-austenitic and super-duplex stainless steels. Nitrogen also provides good actual protection for metal when in combination with 10 percent hydrogen. Please follow the link for more information about heat shields for automotive and heat shields.