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22 Gases for root protection

For top-quality workmanship.


Gases for root protection.

Competence Line
Argon VARIGON® N
Nitrogen

Performance Line
Forming gas 95/5 – 70/30
VARIGON® H

Welding with additional forming gas

When subjected to high temperatures and Differentiating between two different Two groups of gases are used for root
atmospheric oxygen, many metals tend to purging methods protection
intense oxidation. The oxides generally ap- In the case of gas displacement, the backing Inert or low-activity gases, such as argon or
pear as temper color, for example, with gas pushes forward the air to be removed, nitrogen (4.6 or higher)
stainless steel or titanium materials. Temper with only little mixing occurring. This principle Inert or low-activity gases with added
colors will greatly impair the corrosion resis- is conceivable, for example, for large vessels. hydrogen
tance of such metals. Furthermore, severe With this method it is very important to take
oxidation will impair the formation of weld the relative density of the backing gas into Thanks to the reducing action of hydrogen,
roots. Thus, in many cases, the root side has account. In a – purely theoretical – ideal-case root-shielding gases containing hydrogen offer
to be protected against oxygen in order to scenario, with this type of purging, only as greater protection against the formation of
ensure optimum corrosion resistance. The much backing gas is used as that of the volume temper colors. However, they are not suitable
careful exclusion of atmospheric oxygen can to be purged. for all metals. The type of gas used for root
prevent oxidation and temper colors. protection primarily depends on the type of
In the case of dilution purging, the backing gas metal of the component to be purged. Steels
is distributed uniformly throughout the area and that are sensitive to hydrogen or highly reactive
mixes with the air to be removed. The purging metals, such as titanium, are generally purged
continues until the amount of residual oxygen with argon. Austenitic stainless steels can be
has fallen below a certain threshold. The amount protected with root shielding gases containing
of shielding gas required is thus several times hydrogen, for example, with gases from the
that of the purging volume. “Forming gas” or the VARIGON® H series.
Gases for root protection 23

Relative density of root shielding gases

1.4

1.3 Ar mixtures
Heavier than air

1.2

1.1

1.0 Air

0.9 TIG seam, root side , no root protection


Lighter than air

0.8

0.7 N2 mixtures

0.6
4 8 12 16 20 24
% of H2 by volume TIG seam, root side, with root protection

Application advice To prevent the formation of temper colors, Safety information


The gases for root protection are standardized after welding, purging should continue until the Root shielding gases with a hydrogen content
in EN439. component has cooled to a temperature of of more than 4 % can form explosive mixtures
Group R (Ar-H2 mixtures) below approx. 220 °C. If the root of the weld is if they come into contact with air or oxygen.
Group I (Ar or Ar-He mixtures) not accessible after welding for reworking, a Users must take certain precautionary mea-
Group F (N2 or N2-H2 mixtures) root shielding gas should be used when tacking sures to prevent the formation of such gas
the component since temper colors will not be mixtures. For safety reasons, DVS leaflet 0937
Minimum purging times have to be observed to dissolved by welding over the tack point. recommends burning-off if the hydrogen con-
prevent the formation of temper colors. The re- tent in the root shielding gas is 10 % or higher.
quired purging time depends on the geometry of In the case of Ti-stabilized stainless steels, gases
the component and on the volumetric flow rate containing N2 cause a clearly visible yellowing When forming large, closed components,
of the gas. The recommended value for required of the root of the weld as a result of the forma- adequate ventilation must be available before
backing gas volume for pipelines, for example, is tion of titanium nitride. With duplex and super- inspection to prevent the risk of suffocation.
2.5–3 times the geometric volume of the compo- duplex steels, using root-shielding gases that When working in small rooms, oxygen deple-
nent, calculated from the supply point to the contain nitrogen or pure nitrogen improves tion should be taken into account.
welding point. Depending on pipe diameter, a corrosion resistance.
gas flow rate of 5–12 l/min is recommended. The
use of a measuring device to measure the resid-
ual oxygen content is recommended.

Root shielding gases for various materials

Shielding gas Material


Argon All fusion-weldable metals
VARIGON® H series Ar-H2 mixtures Austenitic stainless steels
Forming gas N2-H2 mixtures Austenitic stainless steels (not Ti-stabilized)
Unalloyed steels (not high-strength fine-grained steels!)
VARIGON® N Ar-N2 mixtures Austenitic stainless steels (not Ti-stabilized)
series N2 Duplex and super duplex steels

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