SHIELDING GASES

AJITHKUMAR S
WE1601

24/12/2016
CONTENT
 DEFINITION
 USAGE OF SHIELDING GAS
 TYPES OF SHIELDING GAS
 SHIELDING GAS FOR PROCESSES
Definition
• It is the inert (Ar) or active gas (Co2),that
protect the arc and molten metal from
contamination by the atmospheric gases.
• Shielding gases used in GTAW, GMAW, FCAW
and PAW
Usage of shielding gas
• Single gas – liquid or gas • Binary shielding gas mixture
▫ Argon (SG-A) ▫ (SG-AO)
▫ Helium (SG-He) ▫ (SG-AC)
▫ Co2 (SG-C) ▫ (SG-AHe)
▫ (SG-AH)
▫ Nitrogen (SG-N)
▫ Oxygen (SG-O) • Ternary shielding gas mixture
▫ Hydrogen (SG-H) • (SG-ACO)
• (SG-AHeC)
• (SG-AHeO)
• Quaternary shielding gas
mixture
• (SG-AHeCO)
1.Argon
• AWS classification SG-A
• Low Ionization potential = 15.7 eV
• Easy to start arc than helium
• Lower thermal conductivity- penetration profile –
finger-like projection
• Ni, Al, Cu, Mg and Ti alloyed base materials uses
100 % argon
Finger like Penetration
2.Helium
• Higher ionization potential (25 eV)
• High thermal conductivity – broad and less deep
penetration profile
• Used for plates of high thickness
3. Oxygen
• Not used as a base component of a shielding gas
• In addition to argon, oxygen is slightly added to
improve the arc characteristics.
4. Hydrogen
• Chemically active
• Commonly used at low percentages
• For semi automatic welding, used along with
argon .
5. CO₂
• Active gas primarily used for GMAW and
FCAW.
• Arc heat dissociates into carbon monoxide and
free oxygen.
• Commonly available.
• Produces good bead and no tendency towards
undercutting.
• Spatter problem .
6. Nitrogen
• Used to protect the weld root from atmospheric
contamination.
• Not used as a primary gas.
Tungsten inert gas welding
• Argon is the primary shielding gas used.
• Cleaning action
• Arc stability
• Combination of Argon and Helium
• Purging gas - Nitrogen
Gas Metal Arc Welding
MIG :
• Ar, He, combination of both – Non ferrous
MAG :
• CO2 , Ar + CO2 - Ferrous ( CS and LAS )
Flux Cored Arc Welding
• CO₂ used as a shielding gas.
• Mostly carbon and low alloy steels are welded
Shielding gases for MAG Welding
 Aim- Influence of Shielding gas composition on weld metal
properties for a non alloyed steel.
 Areas of interest –
Amount of spatter, metallographic research, chemical
composition, penetration, welding speed.
 Base metal - S235 steel plate(150x75x5mm)
 Electrode-Autrod 12.51
 T- joint
Content of chemical elements
• Table 1
Shielding gases types and composition
• Table 2
MAG welding parameters
Weld metal chemical composition
Conclusion
• Effect of Co2 and O2 is more pronounced.
• Increase of both causes spatter, burning of micro
alloying elements, grain coarsening, decrease of
YS & UTS.
• Most effective shielding gas – Ar + Co2 &/or O2

• Reference –
Study of Shielding gases for MAG welding - Irina Boika
and Didzis Avisans, Rega Technical University, IME
Shielding Gas for FCAW-G Process
• Mostly commonly used 100% CO2 and a blend of
Argon and CO2 (75 % Ar and 25 % CO2)
Properties of Ar and CO2
• Ionization potential of CO2 – 14.4 eV
Ionization potential of Ar(Pure) – 15.7 eV
• Thermal conductivity affects mode of transfer,
weld penetration. CO2 has higher value
compared to Ar and blend Ar.
• Reactivity
Comparison of Ar and CO2
• Cost: CO2 is cheaper than Argon
• Operator appeal: CO2 – more spatter (Globular)
Ar – Less spatter (Spray type)
When using Ar blend easy to control the arc which
is hard in CO2 (Harsher and erratic Arc).
But CO2 radiates less heat towards the welder than
Ar blend.
• Weld Quality: Blend Ar produces a fine weld
quality than CO2
CO2 Ar+ CO2
Conclusion
Choice of shielding gases is based on how it
positively influences the driving cost, quality and
productivity to their welding operators
THANK YOU