Argon gas has hundreds of uses across many industries. Learn about argon’s applications and why you should choose OSC as your next argon gas provider.
One of the noble gases, argon is a colorless, odorless gas that is totally inert. Argon is named after the Greek word for lazy because of how unreactive it is. It’s also the third most abundant gas in our atmosphere.
If argon is extremely common and unreactive, what makes it useful? Argon gas being so boring actually makes it extremely valuable—it provides an inert atmosphere that can shield many processes from outside interference.
This dull gas has some interesting applications, including:
MIG welding is similar in that it uses an electric current to melt and fuse metal. MIG welding forms an electric arc between the welding wire and metal, while a tip serves as a conduit to direct the electric current. Argon welding gas keeps the arc stable by forming an inert layer around the point of contact.
Argon is usually the primary shielding gas that isolates the heated metal and lets it bind without outside interference. Of the two welding options, MIG welding is more popular because of its convenience. Neither form of welding would be possible without argon gas cylinders that keep a stable arc to make clean welds.
TIG welding is a welding process that uses a tungsten electrode to form a current that melts and fuses metal. Argon aids the TIG welding process by serving as a shielding gas, combining with helium to protect the welding area from local contamination. Without these shielding gases, your welding equipment would destroy the metal you work on.
TIG welding is perfect for thin metal sections like aluminum, copper alloys, and magnesium. TIG welding is widely used in the metal and fabrication industry and wouldn’t be possible without the help of inert gases like argon.
Everything left exposed to the air is vulnerable to oxidation. Oxidation is the process of things corroding or spoiling due to prolonged exposure to oxygen. Argon’s inertness prevents certain items from being exposed to air and keeps them preserved. Common examples include:
Argon can even preserve historical documents. Sealing these documents in argon-filled containers significantly slows their degradation.
Argon may mean lazy in Greek, but it does a lot of work for these industries:
Argon lasers are used extensively in surgery. Some applications of argon in the medical industry include:
Argon’s unique properties make it excellent for these medical applications.
Argon gas for welding is extremely common, as we covered earlier. Shielding gases are critical to maintaining clean welds, and argon is the most widely available option. Large-scale welding operations are in constant need of argon gas cylinders.
Argon is the key to effectively preserving food and drinks. You can find it frequently used in high-end restaurants or upscale bars and cocktail lounges. Restaurants that pride themselves on quality will commonly use argon to keep food fresh.
Need argon gas cylinders? Contact Oxygen Service Company! We have over 60 years of experience in the gas industry and have developed partnerships with high-quality suppliers.
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