Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Welding Gas

Top 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Welding Gas

Many may not consider which welding gas to use for their welding projects. However, the shielding gas that you use throughout your weld is a crucial component of your project’s success. When you choose the right gas for your welding project, it can save you time, money, and yield a better product. 

Types of Welding Gases 

Here is a brief overview of the main types of welding gases to help you with your decision. 

Oxygen (O2) 

Typically, you will see this gas combined with argon because it gives you many great benefits. It is best to avoid using oxygen when you are welding copper, aluminum, and magnesium. 

Argon (Ar)

Argon is known for providing amazing arc features. It works best on magnesium, titanium, and aluminum. Usually, when welding steel, many will combine argon and carbon dioxide to create the ideal welding gas. 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon dioxide is a powerful welding gas. It is the least expensive gas, and it is also another popular reactive gas. When you use carbon dioxide to weld, it will not need another inert gas.

Helium (He)

Helium is an excellent welding gas when you need to weld non-ferrous materials and thicker materials. You can also combine helium and argon when welding stainless steel. One downside to helium is that it is more expensive. 

5 Things to Consider for Your Welding Gas 

Here are five things you should consider before you purchase your welding gas. These five tips will help determine the best shielding gas for your project. 

Base Material 

When you have thicker material, helium and carbon dioxide are better welding gases. For non-ferrous metals, it is better to choose argon or helium. Oxygen is a suitable welding gas with mild carbon, low alloy, or stainless steel. 

Finished Product 

Some welding projects require a better-finished product, while others don’t need to be cleaned up. To avoid spatter, have a flatter bed profile, or a better wetting action- argon or a combination of argon and carbon dioxide work great. 

Cost 

Some gases are less expensive than others. If you can, choose a welding gas to cut costs for your project. Carbon dioxide is the cheapest option as it can be used in its pure form. 

Time Consuming 

When you are short on time, choose an argon and carbon dioxide mixture as it can be a spray transfer. You can also use an argon and helium combination as it gives a hotter arc and finishes faster. 

Prep and Clean Up

This is very similar to boosting your productivity, but it also is nice not to have to clean up when you are finished welding. Argon mixed with carbon dioxide allows for a faster prep time, and you don’t have much to clean up when you are finished. 

Rely on the KnowHow of our nexAir team to help you find the right welding gas for your project.

 

Looking out for your future

Get your career going on the right track with nexAir

Industry Knowledge and Expertise

Find out how nexAir KnowHow has impacted businesses all over the Southeast

nexAir in the news

Our expertise makes us more than a valuable partner, it makes us headlines

nexAir is always open!

Don't see what you're looking for?

Everything we offer is a click away and it will arrive before you know it.