What is the difference between argon and carbon dioxide

Consider the following as you make your selection:. Each provides unique benefits and drawbacks in any given application. It is the only one that can be used in its pure form without the addition of an inert gas.

CO2 is also the least expensive of the common shielding gases, making it an attractive choice when material costs are the main priority. Pure CO2 provides very deep weld penetration, which is useful for welding thick material. However, it also produces a less stable arc and more spatter than when it is mixed with other gases.

It is also limited to only the short circuit process. For companies that place an emphasis on weld quality, appearance and reducing post-weld clean up, a mixture of between 75 — 95 percent Argon and 5 — 25 percent CO2 may be the best option.

It will provide a more desirable combination of arc stability, puddle control and reduced spatter than pure CO2. This mixture also allows the use of a spray transfer process, which can produce higher productivity rates and more visually appealing welds. Argon also produces a narrower penetration profile, which is useful for fillet and butt welds.

Oxygen, also a reactive gas, is typically used in ratios of nine percent or less to improve weld pool fluidity, penetration and arc stability in mild carbon, low alloy and stainless steel. It causes oxidation of the weld metal, however, so it is not recommended for use with aluminum, magnesium, copper or other exotic metals.

Helium, like pure Argon, is generally used with non-ferrous metals, but also with stainless steels. Co2 produces a cooler, coarser, more spattery arc and a marginally harder weld. Active gases do have an effect on the welding process. The effect of an active gas on Mig Welding is twofold:.

The second effect is the Co2 content breaks down the surface tension of the molten weld pool this is the same type of surface tension that allows water to form a drip. Using Co2 to break the surface tension of the molten weld pool allows the weld to flow and flatten slightly for the correct weld profile. Looking for the key to consistent welds under the most challenging situations? Our argon-based family of blends is available for top-quality welding in a variety of precision formulations.

See Brochure. This blend is used for pulsed spray transfer and short-circuiting transfer on a variety of material thicknesses. The arc forces that develop give this mixture more tolerance to mill scale and a more controllable puddle than an argon-oxygen blend.

This blend performs similarly to the StarGold C-5 , but with increased heat input providing a wider, more fluid weld puddle in either short-circuit or spray transfer. This blend has been used for a variety of applications on carbon and low-alloy steels. In the short-circuit mode of transfer, maximum productivity on thin gauge metals can be achieved with this blend. This is done by minimizing the excessive melt-through tendency of higher carbon dioxide mixes, while increasing deposition rates and travel speeds.

This blend will support the spray arc mode of transfer. This blend is commonly used for GMAW with short-circuiting transfer on low carbon steel. It was formulated to provide optimum droplet frequency on short-circuiting transfer using. Linde's StarGold C operates well in high current applications on heavy base metal. It promotes good arc stability, weld pool control, and weld bead appearance.