Here we going to cover why do welders use argon? and what’re the benefits of using it.
Welding is a technique to join or fix two or more metal pieces that are melted using heat at high temperatures together with a filler material or flux. The result when the pieces cool down is the union in a precise and very resistant way.
The purpose of applying solder is to achieve that two or more metal pieces are permanently joined using the proper technique.
There are different welding techniques, and depending on the type of metal and the finish required, welders can choose and use the most convenient one.
There are basic welding processes that can be soft or strong depending on the material or also oxyacetylene and by Resistance or Electric Arc. The latter can be of three different types either by arc or by points and by stitching according to the final finish desired.
Nowadays, the use of TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is more and more common since, for many welders, it is perfect for joining stainless and special steels. The shielding gas most used in TIG processes is Argon Welding Gas, either for cutting or welding metals, providing many advantages.
Unlike common welding, the Tungsten Inert Gas welding process does not require flux since the gas is enough to create a controlled atmosphere of both temperature and other elements.
Many welders achieve the effectiveness they want in all their jobs of joining pieces with different metals using argon gas, allowing them to achieve very consistent and high-quality results.
Every day, argon gas welding is more popular not only industrially but also in its use with smaller projects thanks to its high quality.
It is currently the gas most used for welding tasks thanks to its many advantages and the fact that no flux is required nor a need to clean subsequent welding residues. The more guides are coming at best welding helmets as well.
What is Argon Gas?
Argon is the most abundant of the different air gases and is neither toxic nor flammable. Its chemical element is Ar. It is generally used as a protective gas during welding processes in an inert gas atmosphere.
The Argon is odorless and colorless and is inert even when it is a very high temperature, providing a very safe welding process. At very high temperatures, almost all metals melt to become liquid, and Argon protects the molten metal against oxygen or hydrogen and other elements present in the environment.
As a shielding gas, Argon provides many advantages during the welding process and the best final finish when high-quality results are expected.
Many welders use Argon to eliminate the possibility of contamination from the weld and ensure its quality on all metals, even the most difficult to weld.
These are considered very clean processes that do not leave residues and do not contaminate the base metal, allowing others to control the temperature with precision to work with thick metals and materials subjected to mechanical force.
Argon is the most used shielding gas in welding thanks to its low thermal conductivity that facilitates the ignition of the arc and better control of the temperature to keep it more solid and invariable.
Despite its high cost, welding with Argon Welding Gas is perfect for working stainless steel and other special metals that require welds and joints with a better aesthetic and resistant finish.
This is very high-quality welding required by many industries such as pharmaceuticals or the food industry, thanks to the fact that it does not leave any residue or contaminate metals.
Argon is used as a shield in Orion welding systems for more homogeneous welds with a smooth, better-looking finish.
Why does the Orion Welding Systems Use Argon?
Argon is the gas used as a shield in Orion welding systems due to its properties and advantages during the welding process and final results.
In the welding process, metals are melted using very high temperatures that can reach more than seven thousand degrees, causing them to become liquid.
While the metal is molten, Argon helps protect it by preventing it from being contaminated with oxygen or nitrogen and other elements present in the atmosphere, such as hydrogen.
In this way, it guarantees the purity of the weld by avoiding reactions that stimulate porosity or spattering and maintain the molten metal’s stability.
Welders also achieve a neater finish of the welds in argon welding systems since it maintains the arc’s stability and facilitates that the weld can have better penetration.
It is the ideal process when stronger welds and more resistance to corrosion with better finishes and high-quality standards are required.
Argon provides low thermal conductivity and prevents temperature drift in the arc for clean welding and strong materials bonding.
This gas is compatible with all metals and is one reason why it is the most used protection to create the best welds.
Is Argon Dangerous?
As with all gases, it is necessary to take precautions, but Argon is considered one of the safest gases to develop welding processes.
Argon does not generate combustion, nor is it toxic, yet some considerations must be taken into account if it is to be used in closed environments to maintain certain ventilation.
When using Argon, you should not have any safety problems since it is a gas that is presented in a compressed tank. Once it complies with the appropriate safety protocol, it can be used without any inconvenience.
Low Argon is used in the Orion welding system, which does not pose a safety risk.
What Kind of Argon Gas do I Get?
Argon’s use in its highest purity form without presenting any mixture with another gas is recommended since these do not work as well as completely pure Argon.
Argon is one of the gases most used in the world to carry out welding in these conditions of purity, although for it to work perfectly, it is not necessary to use medium-grade Argon either.
The main supply companies are responsible for supplying Argon with a purity of 99.996% to carry out the welding process.
This is the best way to ensure a good welding process and desired results with traditional TIG welding with Argon Welding Gas.
How Long Will My Argon Tank Last?
An argon tank’s performance is conditioned by different factors, such as the size of your tank and the frequency of use in the first place.
Typically a 40 SCF tank can last 3 to 6 months on average, taking its usage into account.
But you should know that Argon comes in tanks of different sizes, which allows you to choose the size that suits you best.
The most commonly used argon tank size with Orion welding systems is 30 or 40 SCF.
Proper handling of an argon tank is also very important to ensure gas performance as knowing how to adjust flow and pressure properly can also make a big difference.
Will I Need an Argon Regulator?
It is recommended to use the argon cylinder with all the appropriate components and accessories to ensure safety and uniform gas consumption.
Argon cylinders do not include the regulator, so it is considered convenient to purchase the Orion regulator to regulate the flow and obtain higher performance.
Good handling of cylinders and valves and regulators is very important for the efficient use of gas.
What type of Regulator Will do I Need?
Purchasing an Orion welding systems regulator will give you many advantages as they have an argon control system included.
This is a good choice because most argon regulators only provide a continuous flow while Orion uses a pressure argon regulator.
By purchasing the Orion regulator, you get the perfect kit to manage the argon supply available at the time of welding. You only need to install to connect and start welding.
What is The Recommended Argon Pressure?
The argon gas regulator’s proper use allows the flow and pressure to be precisely adjusted based on the welding job’s characteristics.
In some cases, it requires more argon pressure to achieve greater coverage, especially if the electrode protrudes from the welding needle.
It can reference that Orion welding systems perform better at pressure setting to approximately 10 PSI.
How Long Do Argon Tanks Last?
Each welder’s experience may vary concerning their argon tank’s performance since its durability will depend on several factors. In the first place, depending on the industrial supply tank’s capacity and the hours of use and the graduation of the flow.
Flow refers to the amount of gas released and depending on the consistency of this released gas, the better the weld results. To properly regulate the gas flow and its consistency, it is convenient for the valve or regulator to work in the best conditions, preventing an unusable amount of gas from escaping.
A simple formula allows you to calculate how long a tank can last based on its size, considering that its capacity is measured in cubic feet, and the gas flow is measured in cubic feet per hour.
To determine how long an argon tank for TIG welding will last, you have to divide the tank size by the gas flow per hour. You know that an 80 cubic feet (cf) tank with a flow rate of 20 CFH will last about 4 hours. A heavy-duty tank of around 250 CFH, can last around 10 hours with a gas flow of 20 to 25 CFH.
What systems Use Argon Gas?
All systems and jobs that require very high-quality welding use Argon Welding Gas. In this way, the welders perform a more solid welding process and, finally, a better quality weld.
Orion welding systems use Argon as protection in welding systems both in Micro TIG or Pulse Arc systems and in laser welding and resistance welding.
Pulse Arc – Micro TIG Welding Systems
The purpose of using Argon as a shielding gas in this welding system is to provide the highest quality material bonding and a firmer or more stable arc.
Orion’s Micro TIG welding system is recommended on different materials’ thicknesses when more stable and resistant welds are required.
Laser Welding
All Orion laser welding systems come well equipped and have all the elements other than accessories and argon gas valves with integrated systems for automated control.
These systems not only allow protecting welds made with the laser, either with the simplest systems or with fully computerized systems in all its wide variety of laser welding systems.
Resistance Welding
The use of argon gas is often used in a wide variety of resistance welds for both fine and micro-points to provide a better finish and appearance of the weld.
Many industries require this type of welding to design and create equipment or materials, either in the food industry or in the pharmaceutical industry, and many others due to the welding quality, both in terms of resistance and aesthetics.
Resistance welding is the most recommended when very solid welds of better quality and good appearance are required.
Argon is the most used shielding gas in Tungsten Inert Gas welding processes to avoid interaction and contact between the molten metal and the elements of the atmosphere surrounding it.
Argon gas welds provide better results than common welds made with conventional electrodes since they are stronger and not vulnerable to the environment’s corrosive effects.
When the best-looking finishes are required, argon gas welding systems allow for better terminations and completely smooth, uniform welds.
Gaseous shielded welding systems allow a mechanically controlled process to be carried out, or it can also be automated.
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