Welding Shielding Gas -

Application, Properties and

Phenomena.
Prof. Leonel D. Abreu, MSc
Introduction
During any arc welding process, oxygen and other
atmospheric gases can react with the molten metal,
causing defects that weaken the weld;

Primary function of a shielding gas is to protect the

molten weld metal from atmospheric contamination and
the resulting imperfections;
Introduction
Introduction

The composition and purity of the gas or gas mixture

should be tailored to meet the process, material, and
application requirements;

The selection of a gas or gas mixture can become

quite complex due to many combinations available.
Shielding Gas
What are the importances of shielding gas in the
electric arc welding process?
 Protect the molten weld metal;

 Welding speed;

 Weld appereance and shape;

 Penetration shape;

 Fume generation;

 Arc stability;

 Mechanical properties.
Shielding Gas
Shielding Gas

Which processes of shielding gas arc welding are used?

 GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) – MIG/MAG;

 GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) – TIG;

 PAW ( Plasma Arc Welding) – Plasma;

 PAC (Plasma Arc Cutting);

 FCAW (Flux-Cored Arc Welding).

Shielding Gas
Shielding Gas

Which types of shielding gas are used in the arc

welding process?

 Inert Gas – Argon and Helium;

 Active Gas – Carbon Dioxide (CO2); Oxygen (O2);

Nitrogen (N2), Hydrogen (H2) and the others.
Gas Properties

 Ionization Potential;

 Thermal Conductivity;

 Dissociation and Recombination;

 Reactivity;

 Surface Tension;

 Gas Density.
Gas Properties
Ionization Potential
 The ionization potential is the energy, expressed in
electron volts, necessary to remove an electron from
a gas atom, making it an ion, or an electrically
charged gas atom. -
- - - -
Gas Dissociation Ionization Energy Helium
Energy (eV/molecule) - - - -
++ +
(eV/molecule)
+ -- -
H2 4.5 13.6
+ + ++
- -
O2 5.1 13.6
-
CO2 4.3 14.4 - -
N2 9.8 14.5 - - -
He - 24.6 Electrons - Argon
Ar - 15.8
Kr - 14.0
Gas Properties
Ionization Potential
“Ionization potential can be described as a
measurement of electrical condutivity of the arc
shielding gas.”
For example:
Argon, with eigtheen electrons, is much heavier than helium,
which has only two electrons. The force of attraction holding the
outer electrons in their orbit is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance from the nucleus. Simply staded, the
energy required to removed an electron from the argon atom is
signifcantly less than that required for helium.
Gas Properties
Ionization Potential
 Gases with relatively low ionization potential, give up electrons
more easily;

 Creates the “free” electrons necessary to support current flow

across the gap, forming the plasma;

 Arc starting and arc stability are also largely dependent on the
ionization potential of the shielding gas selected;

 Helping to initiate and maintain the arc in a stable operating

mode.
Gas Properties
Thermal Conductivity
 The thermal conductivity of a gas is related to its ability to
conduct heat;

 It influences the radial heat loss from the center to the

periphery of the arc column.

For example:

Pure argon: when used as a shielding gas has low thermal

conductivity, and produces an arc which has two zones:
Gas Properties
Thermal Conductivity
Argon Helium

As result, the penetration profile of a typical weld fusion area is

characterized by a narrow “finger” at the root and a wider top.
Gas Properties
Thermal Conductivity
 A gas with high thermal conductivity conducts more of the heat
outward from the arc;

 This type of heat distribution, which occurs with helium,

argon/hydrogen, and argon/carbon dioxide mixtures is more
uniform and produces a generally wider profile throughout the
fusion zone.
Gas Properties
Dissociation and Recombination
 These gases break down, or dissociate into their separete atoms;

 They are then at least partially ionized, producing free electrons

and improve current flow;

CO2

CO + ½ O2
CO2
Gas Properties
Dissociation and Recombination
 As the dissociated gas comes in contact with the relatively cool
work surface, the atoms recombine, and it releases energy to the
base material in form of heat;

CO + ½ O2 CO2 + Heat

 The heat generated at the work surface can be greater with gases
such carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen;
CO2
Gas Properties
Reactivity
 Argon and Helium are completely non-reative, or inert, and
therefore have no chemical effect on the weld metal;

 Nitrogen is an inert gas, but, at temperatures common to welding, it

may react and have an adverse effect on weld chemistry;

 Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide belong to a category of reactive gases

known as oxidizers:

• These gases will react to form oxides with the molten metal in the
weld puddle.

• This reactions cause welding fume.

Gas Properties
Reactivity
 Hydrogen is a reactive gas, but is reducing oxygen in the
invironment.

• Hydrogen can produce detrimental effects such as underbead

cracking, when used on some high strength and low alloy steels.
Gas Properties
Surface Tension
In any liquid there is an attractive force exerted by the
molecules below the surface upon those at the surface. An inward
pull, or internal pressure is created, which tends to restrain the
liquid from flowing. Its strength varies with the chemical nature of
the liquid.

High Surface Tension Lower Surface Tension

Attractive force exerted

by the molecules
Gas Properties
Surface Tension
In welding, the surface tension between molten steel and its
surrounding atmosphere has a pronounced influence on bead shape:

 If the surface tension is high, a convex, irregular bead will result;

 Lower values promote flatter beads with minimum susceptibility
for undercutting;

High Surface Tension Lower Surface Tension

Gas Properties
Surface Tension
 GMAW is usually associated with high interfacial energy, producing
a narrow and high bead when mild steel welding is considered;

 This is partially attributed to the high surface tension of liquid iron

in an inert atmosphere;

 For this reason, it is not recommended for use in MIG welding of

mild steel.

 Iron oxides, however, have a considerably lower surface tension and

thus promote good wetting to the parent metal.

 The addition of small percentages of Oxygen or Carbon Dioxide to

argon when performing GMAW results in a more fluid weld puddle.
Gas Properties
Gas Density
 Gas density is one of the main factors influencing shielding
effectiveness.

“Basically, gases heavier than air require lower flow rates than
gases that are lighter than air to achieve equivalent weld puddle
protection”. Argon Helium

2 to 2 ½ times as
much gas flow
Basics Gas Properties
Argon - Ar
 Slightly less than one percent of the earth´s atmosphere is
composed of argon;

 As an inert gas, argon does not react with other compounds or

elements;

 The inert properties of argon make it ideal as a shield against

atmospheric contamination, thus it is used in many welding processes;

 Argon promotes good arc starting characteristics and arc stability

due to its low ionization potential.
Basics Gas Properties
Carbon Dioxide - CO2
 A reactive gas;

 Unlike other reactive gases such as oxygen, CO2 can be used alone
for GMAW shielding gas applications;

 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is commonly mixed with argon to improve

productivity and penetration in GMAW.
Basics Gas Properties
Helium - He
 Helium is the second lightest element, after hydrogen, and is lightern
than air;

 It is chemically inert;

 Due to its hight thermal conductivity and high ionization potential,

helium is used as a shielding gas for welding applications when
increased heat input is desired, and low tolerance for oxidizing
elements exist such as with aluminum and magnesium welding.
Basics Gas Properties
Nitrogen - N2
 Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which forms 78
percent of the earth´s atmosphere (by volume);

 It is nonflammanble;

 Nitrogen is an inert gas, except at arc welding temperatures, where it

will react with some metals;

 It can be used in combination with other gases for some welding

applications and is also widely used in plasma and laser cutting.
Basics Gas Properties
Oxygen - O2
 Approximately 21 percent of earth`s atmosphere (by volume);

 High oxidizing and combustion-supporting properties;

 Small amounts of oxygen may be added to argon for GMAW to

increase arc stability and improve the wetting and shape of the
bead when working with mild or stainless steels;
” Before being, you have to appear to be !!!”