Span gas online supplier UK: Shielding Gas for Gas Metal Arc Welding: For GMAW the additions of helium range from around 25% helium up to 75% helium in argon. By adjusting the composition of the shielding gas, we can influence the distribution of heat to the weld. This, in turn, can influence the shape of the weld metal cross section and the speed of welding. The increase in welding speed can be substantial, and as labor costs make up a considerable amount of our overall welding costs, this can relate to a potential for significant savings. The weld metal cross section can also be of some consequence in certain applications.
Overall, argon is a standard, low cost but high-quality choice of shielding to use when welding. Although its odourless and colourless properties make it a convenient gas to use, it can also be dangerous if leaks or overexposure when welding occurs. Never forget that you are dealing with a potentially hazardous element, so entrust installation to a specialist gas installer who knows what they are doing.
WSD (weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk) supplies a wide range of shielding gases specifically designed to optimise performance in particular conditions. In vehicle repair and manufacturing, argon-based gas mixtures are commonly used to MIG weld carbon and low alloy steels. Argoshield Light is one of those choices. It’s ideal if you are welding thinner carbon steel ranging from 0.6 to 5mm in thickness. The addition of oxygen to Argoshield increases arc stability to minimise spatter and fast weld speeds with its low heat input reduce distortion. So it’s perfect for our earlier example where the components of a car are being painted or powder coated after welding. See more details at Span Gas Bottle.
The primary task of a shielding gas is to protect the weld pool from the influence of the atmosphere, i.e. from oxidation and nitrogen absorption, and to stabilize the electric arc. The choice of shielding gas can also influence the characteristics of the weld penetration profile. The basic gas for MIG/MAG welding is argon (Ar). Helium (He) can be added to increase penetration and fluidity of the weld pool. Argon or argon/helium mixtures can be used for welding all grades. However, small additions of oxygen (O2) or carbon dioxide (CO2) are usually needed to stabilize the arc, improve the fluidity and improve the quality of the weld deposit. For stainless steels there are also gases available containing small amounts of hydrogen (H2). Calibration gases are split into two categories. These are zero calibration gas and span calibration gas. Calibration gas is used to calibrate gas analyser’s. Calibration gas is in addition used to calibrate Gas detectors. These Gases will also be known as Span Gas and come in a Span Gas cylinder. This product has added one or more component(s).
Nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) are known collectively as nitrous gases (NOx). They can be generated by oxidation of nitrogen in the air by heat from an arc or flame. Chemical Hazard Alert Notices (CHANs) were issued in UK in 2003, withdrawing the exposure limits of NO and NO2 because they were not considered to be adequate to protect occupational health. New exposure limits of 1ppm 8-hour TWA have been recommended for each gas. Source: weldingsuppliesdirect.co.uk.