Aerospace-Grade Gas Purity: How nexAir Supports Precision Manufacturing

In aerospace manufacturing, there’s no room for compromise. A single contaminant in your shielding gas can create porosity in a weld. A trace impurity in your heat treatment atmosphere can alter the metallurgical properties of a critical component. When you’re building parts that will withstand extreme temperatures, pressures, and stress at 35,000 feet, gas purity is the foundation of quality and safety.

We understand that aerospace manufacturers face scrutiny unlike any other industry. Your suppliers need to meet the same exacting standards you do, which is why we’ve built our entire operation around delivering gases that meet or exceed aerospace specifications every single time.

The Real Cost of Impure Gases in Aerospace Applications

Think about what happens when moisture infiltrates your welding gas during a titanium fabrication run. The weld becomes brittle. Oxygen levels that drift even slightly outside spec can oxidize sensitive alloys during heat treatment, changing their mechanical properties in ways that won’t show up until a part is under stress. These aren’t just quality issues that create scrap and rework. In aerospace, they’re potential safety failures that can ground fleets and end careers.

Contamination often comes from sources that seem minor but have major consequences. Cylinder interiors that aren’t properly prepared, distribution systems with microscopic leaks, or storage practices that allow temperature fluctuations can all introduce impurities. We’ve seen manufacturers lose entire production runs because their gas supplier didn’t maintain proper handling protocols. The cost goes beyond the immediate material loss because you also deal with production delays, recertification requirements, and the erosion of customer confidence.

How We Maintain Specification-Level Purity

Our approach to gas purity starts long before a cylinder reaches your facility. We maintain dedicated aerospace-grade gas systems that are isolated from industrial gas production. This means the argon you use for TIG welding titanium components has never shared a line with gases used for less demanding applications.

Every batch goes through rigorous testing using gas chromatography and moisture analysis. We don’t just test to the specification limits. We verify that purity levels stay well within the acceptable range, giving you a buffer that accounts for real-world handling and storage conditions. Our quality documentation provides full traceability, so you have the records you need for AS9100 audits and customer quality requirements.

Cylinder preparation matters more than most people realize. We follow cleaning protocols specifically designed for aerospace gases, including passivation treatments for oxygen service and ultra-high purity nitrogen. Each cylinder is evacuated and purged multiple times before filling to eliminate residual contamination. The valve and regulator connections are sealed immediately after inspection to prevent atmospheric exposure during transport.

Supporting Your Manufacturing Process with Technical Expertise

Gas purity is only part of the equation. You also need the right delivery systems, proper flow rates, and application-specific expertise to make the most of high-purity gases. Our team works directly with aerospace manufacturers to optimize their gas management systems. We’ll evaluate your current setup, identify potential contamination points, and recommend improvements that protect gas purity from cylinder to point of use.

Whether you’re running electron beam welding operations, operating vacuum furnaces, or performing precision laser cutting, we have experience with the specific requirements of aerospace manufacturing processes. That hands-on experience and our expert KnowHow™ mean we can troubleshoot issues faster and help you avoid problems before they impact production.

Moving Your Operations Forward

The aerospace industry continues to push boundaries with new alloys, advanced composites, and manufacturing techniques that demand even higher levels of precision. Having a gas supplier who understands these challenges and invests in the infrastructure to meet them makes a real difference in your ability to compete and grow. 

If you’re ready to work with a gas supplier who can help you Forge Forward in your operations, get in touch with our team. We’ll discuss your specific requirements and show you how our aerospace-grade gases and technical support can strengthen your manufacturing capabilities.