**The Importance of Welding Shielding Gas**
Welding shielding gas plays a crucial role in gas shielded welding (GMA) processes, directly influencing arc stability, spatter formation, penetration depth, soot production, and overall welding speed. These effects are determined by the composition of the shielding gas, which is influenced by its physical and chemical properties.
In gas shielded welding, two main parameters—wire feed speed (WFS) and voltage—are essential for controlling the welding process. The choice of shielding gas significantly affects the type of arc formed, whether it's a large droplet transition, jet transfer, or short-circuiting. For example, using CO₂ as a shielding gas at a constant wire feed speed leads to large droplet transfer, resulting in excessive spatter and poor weld quality. In contrast, Linde’s CORGON® series gases produce a stable jet arc with minimal spatter, improving weld quality and reducing waste.
According to industry data, inferior shielding gases can cause 5–10% of filler metal to be lost due to spatter. This not only increases material costs but also adds significant labor expenses when cleaning up the splatter, which can account for up to 25% of total labor costs. With Linde’s CORGON® shielding gases, spatter is reduced to 2.5–5%, leading to a 10–30% reduction in overall costs.
A practical example involves a shelf welding application where a customer previously used CO₂ gas. By switching to Linde CORGON® 18, they achieved a 32% reduction in wire consumption, a 37% increase in productivity, and a 24.3% decrease in total production cost per component. The improved arc stability and reduced spatter resulted in a smoother weld surface and better overall quality.
Linde offers a wide range of shielding gases tailored for different materials and applications. For carbon steel and low-alloy steel, argon-based mixtures with small amounts of O₂, CO₂, or N₂ are commonly used. For stainless steel, argon or argon-helium mixtures are preferred, with CO₂ limited to 3–5% to avoid decarburization. For non-ferrous metals like aluminum, copper, and titanium, pure argon or helium is typically used, with high-purity options available for critical applications.
As labor costs rise in China’s manufacturing sector, advanced shielding gases are becoming more popular. Linde’s Swarovski 5S2 and 12S2 gases enhance welding speed and quality while reducing spatter and slag, lowering post-weld cleaning costs. Helium-based gases improve heat transfer, increasing welding speed and reducing defects like incomplete fusion.
Linde is also committed to environmental protection and welder health. Their Mison series gases contain nitrogen monoxide (NO), which helps reduce ozone levels during welding, minimizing health risks. Additionally, Linde is developing "blue soldering" gases that further reduce ozone, fumes, and radiation.
With continuous innovation and a focus on safety and sustainability, Linde remains a leader in providing high-quality welding solutions. Explore more exciting content from the Metalworking Online platform and stay updated on the latest developments at the Beijing Essen Welding & Cutting Fair.
Xuzhou Lange New Materials Co., Ltd. , https://www.successleo.com