{"id":1317,"date":"2019-03-06T12:22:02","date_gmt":"2019-03-06T17:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/?p=1317"},"modified":"2022-06-06T18:08:29","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T22:08:29","slug":"finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding the Right Shielding Gases for the Job"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"m-entry__feedback\"><div class=\"m-feedback-prompt\">\n\t\t  <h4 class=\"m-feedback-prompt__header\">Was this article helpful?<\/h4>\n\t\t  <a href=\"#\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__social m-feedback-prompt__social_thumbsup yes\" data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:yes\">\n\t\t    <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-up\">&nbsp;<\/i>\n\t\t  <\/a>\n\t\t  <a href=\"#\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt_form no\" data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:no\">\n\t\t    <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-down\">&nbsp;<\/i>\n\t\t  <\/a><br>\n\t\t  <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__display m-feedback-prompt__social yes\">\n\t\t    <p class=\"m-feedback-prompt__text\">Awesome, share it:<\/p>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon facebook fa fa-facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job\/\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon twitter fa fa-twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job\/&text=Finding the Right Shielding Gases for the Job\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">Tweet<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon googleplus fa fa-google-plus\" href=\"https:\/\/plus.google.com\/share?url=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job\/\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">Google Plus<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t    <a class=\"m-feedback-prompt__social--button p-button-social has-icon linkedin fa fa-linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job\/&title=Finding the Right Shielding Gases for the Job\" onclick=\"javascript:window.open(this.href,\n  '', 'menubar=no,toolbar=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,height=600,width=600');return false;\">\n\t\t      <span class=\"p-button-social__social-text\">LinkedIn<\/span>\n\t\t    <\/a>\n\t\t  <\/div>\n\t\t  \t<div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__display m-feedback-prompt__form no\">\n\t\t  \t<div class=\"thanks feedback-nodisplayall\"><h2>Thanks!<h2><div class=\"m-contact\"><p>Thanks for getting in touch with us.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t    <form id=\"contact-form\" class=\"new_support_request\" action=\"\" accept-charset=\"UTF-8\" method=\"post\">\n\t\t    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"authenticity_token\" name=\"authenticity_token\" value=\"659de24d36\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317\" \/>\n\t\t      <input value=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/finding-the-right-shielding-gases-for-the-job\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\" id=\"currenturl\">\n\t\t      <input value=\"Finding the Right Shielding Gases for the Job\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenttitle\" id=\"currenttitle\">\n\t\t      <label class=\"is-required\">Help us improve. Give us your feedback:<\/label>\n\t\t      <textarea class=\"p-input__textarea\" name=\"feedbackmessage\" id=\"feedbackmessage\"><\/textarea>\n\t\t      <label class=\"is-required\">Your Full Name:<\/label>\n\t\t      <input class=\"p-input__text\" type=\"text\" name=\"feedbackfullname\" id=\"feedbackfullname\">\n\t\t      <label class=\"is-required\">Your email address:<\/label>\n\t\t      <input class=\"p-input__text\" type=\"text\" name=\"mailinglistemail\" id=\"mailinglistemail\">\n\t\t      <div class=\"feedback-message\" id=\"feedback-message\"><\/div>\n\t\t      <div class=\"__submit\">\n\t\t        <input type=\"submit\" name=\"commit\" value=\"Submit\" class=\"p-button\" id=\"submit-contact-form\" data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:submit\">\n\t\t      <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>Just as the metals and processes that welders use vary from\nproject to project, so do the gases they use. Shielding gases are an important\nconsideration in any welding application. When using a shielding gas mixture,\nchoosing the right gas blend is a critical element that impacts the quality of\nthe weld. In addition to protecting the weld pool from contamination, shielding\ngas selection also affects productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bobbi Jo Matheny, Research Associate at the Air Liquide\nDelaware Innovation Campus, and Jean-Pierre Planckaert, an International Expert\nin Arc Welding Processes at the Delaware Innovation Campus, understand the\nimportance of shielding gases in maximizing efficiency during welding. \u201cUtilization\nof the correct shielding gases and mixtures keeps productivity high and costs\nlow by reducing the amount of rework caused by spatter and failed testing,\u201d Matheny\nsays. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the right shielding gas can be complicated. Matheny\nnotes that there are a variety of chemical considerations involved in choosing\nthe right gases. \u201cDifferent blends yield different results because of gases\u2019 varying\nabilities to ionize and carry energy and molten materials across the arc. So,\nit\u2019s important to know how the shielding pure gas or mixture you\u2019re using will\nreact with the materials in your welding project.\u201d For example, some gases\nproduce welds that are stronger or neater, depending on the requirements of the\nfinished product. Other shielding gases even allow a welder to work on a\nproject out of position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Argon<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In both pure and mixed forms,<strong> argon<\/strong> is popular due to its versatility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Matheny and Planckaert note that argon\u2019s low ionization\nthreshold makes it appropriate for many welding applications. According to\nPlanckaert, \u201cArgon\u2019s low ionization potential helps start and stabilize the\narc. It is one of the most commonly used shielding gases in either a pure or\nmixed form.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, argon has its limitations. For example, using argon\nas a shielding gas often yields a penetration profile that has a finger-like\nshape. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theweldingmaster.com\/welding-defects\/\">Incomplete\npenetration<\/a> means that even though there might be a neat bead that gives\nthe illusion of a weld that completely joins two pieces, the weld is not\ncomplete and the project is not structurally sound (2017). In addition, an\nargon arc is not effective for all materials. For example, a pure argon arc is\nunstable on carbon steel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Helium<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Because <strong>helium <\/strong>has\nno oxidation and does not react with other elements, it can help prevent weld\ndefects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding other gases to argon can help welders reap the benefits of argon gas, such as protection of the weld pool from contamination, without being hindered by poor wetting action. Argon-helium mixtures are typically used for aluminum and titanium alloys. Adding helium creates wetting of the weld pool, which allows for higher travel speeds. In turn, higher travel speeds can help prevent certain weld defects, including <a href=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/troubleshooting-weld-defects-to-save-time-money\/\">burn-through and cold lap<\/a> (2018). Since helium is an inert gas, it has no oxidation and does not react with other elements. This low reactivity means that helium can help prevent unfavorable chemical reactions from occurring during welding processes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Planckaert, \u201cThe higher arc\nvoltage of blends that include helium results in a warmer, more diffused arc\nthat increases penetration and welding speed and improves wetting by providing\na flatter bead.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>Carbon dioxide<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Carbon dioxide\u2019s <\/strong>oxidation\nand high ionization potential make it useful for more specific welding\napplications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike helium, which has no oxidation and a low ionization\npotential, carbon dioxide is an oxidizer with a high ionization potential.\nCarbon dioxide\u2019s high ionization potential makes it useful for short-circuit\ntransfer. This transfer mode, while useful in certain applications, creates\nincreased levels of spatter. Carbon dioxide\u2019s high heat transfer creates deep\nand wide penetration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Planckaert says that certain types of welding, like GMAW,\nrequire the type of oxidizing atmosphere that carbon dioxide can provide. \u201cThe\ndissociation of carbon dioxide in the arc leads to the formation of oxygen,\nleading to local oxidation at the surface of the weld pool. The arc is\nstabilized by emissions from these oxides on the surface of the weld pool.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, carbon dioxide inhibits spray transfer and has\nvery specific applications. Carbon dioxide is typically only used when the\nproperties it creates are necessary for a certain application. <a href=\"http:\/\/weldinganswers.com\/modes-of-metal-transfer-short-circuit\/\">Short-circuit\ntransfer<\/a>, which is used for materials thinner than one-eighth inch, relies\non carbon dioxide (2018). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with any shielding gas, there are caveats to using carbon\ndioxide. Since the atmosphere of carbon dioxide causes significant oxidation of\nthe metal and a loss of alloying elements, it is important to choose a type of\nwire that will limit this reaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4><strong>The future of shielding gas mixtures <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding how different shielding gas mixtures react\nwith certain materials can be complicated, but industrial gas suppliers can\nmake selecting the appropriate shielding gas mixture easier for welders. Industrial\ngas suppliers work hard behind the scenes to formulate blends that serve a wide\nvariety of common welding needs. The process behind these formulations requires\nresearch, experimentation and field testing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Planckaert, major gas suppliers should work daily to improve shielding gases and their impact on welding. Research should be thorough and include investigation of scientific journals, published research and new and existing patents. Experiments should then be conducted, and when a blend reveals new benefits to the industry, it should be tried and tested in the field to validate its effectiveness and usefulness.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3>This article might also spark your interest:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LearnWelding-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A welding instructor and student practicing welding techniques\" class=\"wp-image-1092\" srcset=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LearnWelding-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LearnWelding-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LearnWelding-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/LearnWelding.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/troubleshooting-weld-defects-to-save-time-money\/\">Troubleshooting Weld Defects to Save Time &amp; Money<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shielding gas blends have a critical impact on weld quality, and choosing the right mix can be complicated\u2014unless you keep these simple things in mind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1318,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[22],"tags":[45,1192,390,1191],"yst_prominent_words":[1186,1183,1016,1177,1189,79,1184,1190,1179,1176,1185,412,381,1188,1180,1173,1182,1174,789,1175],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1317"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1330,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1317\/revisions\/1330"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1317"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jschaeffer.us\/sandbox\/airgasthinks\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=1317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}