MIG Gas

When I first purchased a MIg in 1998, MIG gas for steel was CO2. Now it is Argon 80% CO2 20%. Is this to limit CO2 emissions, or to improve weld joint?

Bob

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/welding-gas.htm

That is an interesting read. Thanks DC31k

Bob

If youve ever tried welding with pure CO2 them moved to the mixed gas the difference is massive. CO2 is a horrid gas to weld with.

+1

Regards Nick.

The CO2 used in welding or for carbonating your beer is extracted from the air so from that standpoint it is neutral. The energy requires to extract CO2 from the air is not carbon neutral.

As others have said the welding characteristics of the argon blend are much better than straight CO2.

Completely off at a tangent (almost) there was quite a good film about Bulmers cider making on over the Christmas holiday.
They save, clean, and store the CO2 from the fermentation process for re-use later.
I found the scale of the operation staggering, and I used to work at Stones Brewery in Sheffield many years ago.

BBC iPlayer link ( for the next few weeks anyway)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qsf3/inside-the-factory-series-6-1-cider
The CO2 mention is about 35 mins in.

Bill

They liquify air to get the Argon. Argon is about 1% of the atmosphere, so it takes a lot of energy to get that 1%. Of course, they will also be separating the other gases, too, so not all that energy use is attributable to Argon production.🙂

The down side is that your gas costs double, also note that 3 x 600g disposable bottles pays for a 10lb co2 refillable after which your gas costs are 600g disposable = 10lb refill.

I personally found welding cars much easier after changing from a Cebora/Snap-on 130 to a 170 commercial mig with a copper choke.

I bought my first MIG in 1990, and CO2/Argon mix was recommended then. I used CO2 because I worked in a bar and got it and a regulator for nothing. Then I used friend's machine with Argoshield, and rented a cylinder on the way home. I was repairing rusty cars.

And it's 5% argon unless you're welding really thick steel.

CO2 is one of the waste products of brewing, and brewers struggle to get rid of it

Edited By Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 08/01/2021 10:34:59