Welding is one of the most crucial and demanding processes in metal fabrication and is essential to many sectors, from utility plants to aerospace manufacturing. It is estimated that 90% of all manufactured goods have been welded in some way or another.
But what gas is used for welding? It might surprise you to discover that it all depends on the type of welding chosen, with two main gases used across the industry; oxygen and acetylene. This article will explain more about the gases and their applications.
What Gas is Used for Welding?
Welding is a process of joining two or more pieces of materials together.It is a difficult job that requires expertise and accuracy. In order to ensure that the weld is strong and safe, it is important to use the right gas for welding. In this article, we will discuss the different types of gases used in welding, and their applications.
Types of Gases Used in Welding
- Oxygen-Acetylene: Oxygen-acetylene is one of the most commonly used welding gases. It is a combination of two gases, oxygen and acetylene, and is often referred to as “Harris gas”. It is ideal for manual welding on metals such as steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and others.
Oxygen-acetylene is best for welding metals that are 1/4th of an inch thick or less.
- Argon-Carbon Dioxide: Argon-carbon dioxide is a commonly used gas for welding materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and other non-ferrous metals.
It is a combination of argon, an inert gas, and carbon dioxide, which increases the heat of the weld. This gas is used in MIG and TIG welding.
- Helium-Argon: Helium-argon is another commonly used welding gas. It is a combination of helium, an inert gas, and argon, which increases the heat of the weld. Helium-argon is ideal for welding stainless steel and other non-ferrous metals.
It is also used to weld materials that are 1/8th of an inch thick or thicker.
- Tri-Mix: Tri-mix is a combination of three gases: helium, argon, and carbon dioxide. It is ideal for welding materials that require high heat input and for welding thick materials such as 2 inches thick. Tri-mix is used for TIG welding, and it is ideal for welding aluminum, stainless steel, and other non-ferrous metals.