Revolutionizing Welding Techniques with Helium: Improving Penetration and Quality
Revolutionizing Welding Techniques with Helium: Improving Penetration and Quality
Known as a fundamental process to various industries, welding not only demands precision and strength, but also quality in its execution. While there are many factors that play into this, the choice of shielding gas remains at the top of the list of determining the efficiency and quality of the overall welding process. In fact, one gas in specific, has and continues to revolutionize welding techniques by dramatically improving penetration and weld quality. This gas is known as helium.
At nexAir, we strive to provide our customers of all backgrounds with the most consistent supply of the highest quality helium available. This has allowed many welders and customers to Forge Forward with an enhanced performance, increased productivity and so much more. Keep reading as we share our KnowHow on the ins and outs of how helium has become a transformative element in the welding industry.
Enhanced Penetration and Heat Input
One of the main benefits of using helium in welding is its ability to augment penetration and heat input during the process. When used as a shielding gas in gas tungsten arc welding or TIG welding, helium provides a deeper penetration into the base of the metal due to its high thermal conductivity. This leads to an outstanding fusion between the materials in which are being joined, resulting in stronger and more durable welds. The increased heat input provided by helium also allows for quicker welding speeds, contributing to greater efficiency and productivity in welding operations.
Improved Welding Quality
By incorporating helium into the welding process, welders are finding enhanced weld quality across many different applications. The deeper penetration and narrower heat-affected zone that helium provides helps in minimizing distortion and reducing the likelihood of defects like incomplete fusion and lack of penetration. Welds produced with helium shielding gas have resulted in improved mechanical properties, such as higher tensile strength and better resistance to cracking, further ensuring the integrity and longevity of the welded components.
Non-Ferrous Metal Welding
Helium’s thermal properties actually make it perfectly suited for welding non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum and its alloys. When combined with argon in a helium-argon gas blend, helium improves the arc characteristics and fluidity of the weld pool, leading to smoother and more stable welds. This is great for the projects in which aesthetically pleasing welds are necessary, like those in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Forge Forward into the Future with nexAir
With ongoing research, along with the development in welding technology, innovative solutions to maximize the benefits of helium continue to be explored in welding processes. Advancements in gas mixing, equipment design and process control, shoot to optimize the use of helium in welding, along with the expanding applications of helium in various advanced welding techniques. As the industry continues to evolve, you can lean into nexAir as not only being your gas supplier, but also being your source for expert KnowHow, advice and constant support along the way.
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Behind every package of fresh meat, bag of pre-cut salad, and bottle of craft beer sits an invisible guardian – specialized gas mixtures that preserve flavor, extend shelf life, and ensure product safety. At nexAir, we work with food processors and packagers throughout the Southeast to develop custom gas solutions that address the unique challenges of food production. Our approach goes beyond simply supplying cylinders – we become partners in your quality control process.
The Critical Role of Gases in Food Preservation
Food spoilage begins the moment a product leaves the production line. Oxygen fuels bacterial growth, accelerates oxidation, and triggers enzymatic browning. Carbon dioxide inhibits microbial activity. Nitrogen displaces oxygen and maintains package integrity. Understanding the precise balance needed for each food product requires specialized knowledge of both gas properties and food science. Our team works at this intersection, helping you determine the optimal gas mixtures for your specific products.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging That Preserves Natural Quality
Consumers increasingly demand fresh, minimally processed foods without artificial preservatives. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) allows you to meet these demands by replacing the air inside packaging with carefully calibrated gas mixtures. For red meats, we supply high-oxygen blends that maintain the bright red color consumers associate with freshness. For prepared salads and sliced produce, low-oxygen mixtures prevent wilting and browning without affecting taste or texture. Our custom MAP solutions help your products maintain their natural appearance and flavor profile throughout their shelf life.
Ensuring Consistent Quality Through Precision Blending
Quality control in food production demands consistency – consumers expect the same taste, appearance, and freshness with every purchase. Gas mixtures that vary from batch to batch can undermine this consistency. Our automated blending systems deliver precise gas compositions every time, eliminating the variability that can affect product quality. We regularly calibrate and certify our equipment to food-grade standards, giving you confidence that the gas touching your products meets the highest purity requirements.
Technical Support When You Need It Most
Production issues rarely happen during business hours. That's why our team remains available to help troubleshoot gas-related challenges whenever they arise. When a bakery customer noticed inconsistent product volume during an overnight shift, our on-call technician identified a pressure fluctuation in their carbon dioxide supply and quickly implemented a solution. This responsive support helps prevent quality control failures that could otherwise result in product loss and delivery delays.
Partnering for Continuous Improvement
Food trends, processing technologies, and packaging materials constantly evolve. We work with our food industry customers to regularly evaluate gas solutions against changing requirements and opportunities for improvement. Our technical team keeps you informed about innovations in gas applications that might benefit your operation. This collaborative approach helps you stay ahead of challenges and continue meeting the high-quality standards your customers expect.
Maintaining quality control in food production requires vigilance, specialized knowledge, and reliable partners. At nexAir, we provide more than just industrial gases – we deliver application expertise, responsive service, and custom solutions that address the specific challenges of your food products. Contact our food industry specialists today to discuss how our gas solutions can strengthen your quality control program and help deliver the consistent product excellence your customers demand.
Looking out for your future
Get your career going on the right track with nexAir
Find out how nexAir KnowHow has impacted businesses all over the Southeast
Our expertise makes us more than a valuable partner, it makes us headlines
