Welding is essential for the manufacturing process of almost all products, from automotive to aerospace and even the everyday items in our homes. With the increased attention given to safety standards, welding gas selection has become of utmost importance.
Did you know that nearly 8 million tons of welding gas is consumed annually around the world? Amongst all the different types, what is the most common gas used in welding? In this article, we will look into the different welding gas types, their properties, and try to answer this very important question.
So, let’s get started!
What is the most common gas used in Welding?
Welding is a common technique used to join two pieces of metal together. It requires a specific type of gas, and depending on the type of materials being worked with, different gas variants are used.The most common gas used in welding is Acetylene.
What is Acetylene?
Acetylene is a flammable gas combustible in a mix of oxygen, with other flammable gases, such as propane and ethylene. It is widely used in welding as it produces one of the hottest flame temperatures available, making it perfect for joining certain kinds of metals together.
How is Acetylene used for Welding?
Acetylene is mixed with oxygen to be used for welding purposes. The resulting flame produced is a neutral flame, which constitutes a flame temperature of 3,200°C (5,752°F).The heat produced by the flame is focused on the joint between the two pieces of metal being welded. This heat is sufficient to melt the metal and form a weld between them.
What are the Benefits of Acetylene Welding?
Acetylene is one of the most widely used gases for welding due to its benefits. Its flame is hotter than those of most other gases, and it has a much larger working range; meaning it can be used to weld thicker pieces of metal than most other gases.It is also the most efficient gas when used with the oxy-fuel welding process.