Shielding Gas Formers

Objectives: To know the types of shielding

gases.
Properties of shielding gas.
 The Common Shielding Gases

 Inert Gas
 These inert gases are used in gas tungsten arc welding, and also in gas
metal arc welding for the welding of non-ferrous metals.
 Semi-Inert Gas
 Semi-inert shielding gases, or active shield gases, include carbon
dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. These active gases are
used with GMAW on ferrous metals. Most of these gases, in large
quantities, would damage the weld, but when used in small,
controlled quantities, can improve weld characteristics.

 Properties of Shielding Gas


 The important properties of shielding gases are their thermal
conductivity and heat transfer properties, their density relative to air,
and the ease with which they undergo ionization. Gases heavier
than air (e.g. argon) blanket the weld and require lower flow rates
than gases lighter than air (e.g. helium). Heat transfer is important
for heating the weld around the arc.
Shielding Gases for MIG/GMAW Welding

 MIG (GMAW) welding with shielding gas and a solid

wire electrode produces a clean, slag-free weld
without the need to continually stop welding to
replace the electrode, as in Stick welding. Increased
productivity and reduced clean up are just two of the
benefits possible with this process.

 To achieve these results in your specific application,

however, it helps to understand the role of shielding
gas, the different shielding gases available and their
unique properties.
 Shielding gases for TIG/GTAW
Welding

 Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), also known as tungsten inert gas
(TIG) welding, is an arc welding process that uses a non-
consumable tungsten electrode to produce the weld. The weld
area and electrode is protected from oxidation or other
atmospheric contamination by an inert shielding gas (argon or
helium), and a filler metal is normally used, though some welds,
known as autogenous welds, do not require it. When helium is used,
this is known as heliarc welding. A constant-current welding power
supply produces electrical energy, which is conducted across the
arc through a column of highly ionized gas and metal vapors
known as a plasma.
End
 Constituent of Brazing Fluxes
Objectives: To know what brazing fluxes in
welding.
 Borates

 The function of a flux in welding or brazing is to dissolve

any oxides at the point of joining and leave a clean
surface for the joint. The borates used by the industry are
Optibor boric acid, Dehybor anhydrous borax,
potassium borates and in some rare cases potassium
fluoborates.
 Fused Borax

 Is used in high temperature fluxes because it will also reduce oxides

at higher temperature.
 Elemental Boron

 Finely powdered boron is added to other flux chemistries to give

them greater fluxing ability for higher temperature applications and
to last over longer period.
 Fluorides

Fluorides, such potassium fluoride (KF), very aggressively reduce metal

oxides and so are used in fluxes for metals containing refractory oxides
of chromium and aluminum. They also increase the fluidity of the fluxes
in the molten state.
 Chlorides

Chloride, such as potassium chloride (KCI), are similar to fluoride fluxes

in their use, but are more effective at lower temperature.
 Alkalis

Alkalis are used sparingly because of their water-absorbing

properties; however' akalis compound such as potassium
hydroxide (K(OH)²) and sodium hydroxide (Na(OH)²). Help to
elevate the useful working temperature of the flux. Because of
the tenacious nature of the oxides and because of the lower
temperatures used in brazing metals.