Welding is a process that joins two pieces of metal by heating them until they melt and then pushing them together. The heat from the welding process seals the metal together, making it strong and resistant to corrosion. Welding is used in a variety of industries, including construction, manufacturing, and aviation.
Welding Techniques
Welding is performed using a variety of welding techniques. The most common welding technique is Tig Welding, which uses a Tig welder to join two pieces of metal. Other common welding techniques include MIG Welding, TIG Welding, and Gas Welding.
Welding with Helium
Helium is widely used as a welding shielding gas. Because it is very thermally conductive, it enables a wider and shallower penetration pattern in the welding process, and improves the wetting of the weld bead.
This is the same reason that chemists use helium and argon gases to protect their mixtures. These gases are completely inert, and they form an atmosphere around the welding area.
The density of Helium is lower than that of Argon, so higher flow rates are required for welding with Helium. Sometimes it is possible to increase welding speeds by using helium or helium mixed with argon.
When you weld metal, you can use helium as a shielding gas in its pure form and in a mixed solution with other gases. It provides deeper penetration and more heat to welding, but it struggles to provide consistent arc starting. When combined with argon, it makes a good mix.
The basic gas for mig and mag welding is argon (Ar). A little Helium (He) can be added to the pool to increase its penetration and fluidity. Argon or argon and helium mixtures can be used for welding all grades of wire. Pure helium is most commonly used for welding seams, but not for work with steel because of its tendency to cause spattering.
Can you weld stainless steel with helium?
Welders use this mixture of argon and helium gas to weld all kinds of stainless steel. By adding helium to the argon mixture, you can increase the energy that is available to the pool and make it more fluid. That increases the penetration profile and the weld fusion characteristic.
Is argon cheaper than helium?
Argon is less expensive than helium. That is why nitrogen is the gas of choice when it is necessary for us to have an inert atmosphere. Their usage is for the reactions or other conditions in order to produce an oxygen free atmosphere. These gases are inert to almost all of those reactions / conditions.
Welding Tips
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your welding experience:
- Make sure that your welding equipment is in good condition. Old equipment can cause problems with your welds.
- Clean your weld area before you start welding. This will help to prevent contamination and ensure a clean weld.
- Wear protective gear when welding. This includes a face shield, gloves, and a shirt that is resistant to heat and sparks.
- Use the correct filler metal for the job at hand. Filler metals are used to fill in areas that do not have enough metal to weld, or to create a smooth finish on the welded area.
- Keep an eye on the progress of your welds and adjust your welding techniques as needed.
