Gas in Cylinders and Bundles
WELDING & CUTTING GASES
As a manufacturer of industrial gases, we not only deal with those processes that involve the use of industrial gases, but also with processes that are in competition with this. ELME MESSER GAAS’s advisory service on shielding gases for welding will gladly show you which shielding gas is the right one for your application: in a personal consultation and through on-site demonstrations.
TYPES OF WELDING AND CUTTING GASES
FERROLINE
Shielding gases for plain and low-alloy steels
FERROLINE
FERROLINE is the group of gases mostly used for welding of low carbon, low alloy steels.
Ferroline C25 (Ar = 75%, CO2 = 25%) is well suited for MAG welding of plain (low alloy, low carbon) steel with a thickness exceeding 10 mm. Small porosity, a lot of spatters.
Ferroline C18 (Ar = 82%, CO2 = 18%) is a universal welding gas, suited for MAG welding of plain (low alloy, low carbon) steel with a thickness from 3 mm till 10 mm and more. Small porosity, not so many spatters (in comparison with Ferroline C25).
Ferroline C8 (Ar = 92%, CO2 = 8%) is a welding gas, suited for MAG welding of plain (low alloy, low carbon) steel which is characterized by a small number of spatters, visually attractive appearance of the weld, small weld width, well suited for metal welding (up to 10 mm thick).
As part of mixtures based on argon, the CO2 can be replaced with oxygen. Oxygen allows to increase the temperature of liquid metal during welding to higher values, which increases the productivity, reduces the size of spatters.
Ferroline С12Х2 (Ar = 86%, CO2 = 12%, O2=2%) has proven itself for MAG welding of low-carbon low-alloy steel with a thickness of up to and over 10 mm. The mixture allows you to increase the welding speed, reduce metal spatter, and obtain a weld that is satisfactory in appearance. The mixture is designed to substitute Ferroline С18.
Ferroline С6Х1 (Ar = 93%, CO2 = 6%, O2=1%) is excellent for MAG welding of steel up to 10 mm thick. It can also be used for robotic pulse welding. Excellent weld appearance, low spatter, high productivity.
Ferroline C5X5 (Ar = 90%, CO2 = 5%, O2=5%) is well suited for robotic MAG welding. Allows you to get deep penetration and increase productivity.
Ferroline He20C8 (Ar = 72%, He = 20%, CO2 = 8%) – MAG welding with deep penetration and an attractive appearance of the weld is achieved by the combined use of CO2 and helium additives.
Ferroline X4 (Ar = 96%, O2 = 4%) is a mixture for welding of low carbon low alloy steel up to 10 mm thick. The welding mixture allows you to get a very narrow and deep penetration with good performance. The presence of oxygen oxidizes the material, so the welds will not be as bright as in welding with a mixture of argon-CO2.
Ferroline X8 (Ar = 92%, O2 = 8%) is more suitable for MAG welding of steel with a thickness of more than 10 mm.
In certain special cases, for example, for high-quality welding of the root weld in a metal of big thickness (over 25 mm), it is possible to use pure CO2 gas (100%).
INOXLINE
Shielding gases for high-alloy steels and Ni-based alloys
INOXLINE
INOXLINE is the group of gases for welding, mostly of medium and high alloy steels (stainless steels).
Inoxline H2 (Ar = 98%, H2 = 2%) is suitable for manual welding of austenitic stainless steel, using TIG welding, a small admixture of hydrogen in the welding argon will increase the temperature of the weld pool, reduce the width of the weld, which will increase productivity and reduce the dark oxide layer on the weld.
Inoxline He3H1 (Ar = 95.5%, He = 3%, H2 = 1.5%) is a welding mixture that is specially designed for professional TIG welding of austenitic stainless steel in the manual mode. Its advantage is the additional admixture of helium, which slightly increases welding productivity.
Inoxline Н5 (Ar = 95%, Н2 = 5%) is suitable for welding of austenitic stainless steel in the automatic (robotic) mode. The mixture will increase productivity (as compared to Inoxline H2) and reduce the dark oxide layer on the weld.
Inoxline Н7 (Ar = 93%, Н2 = 7%) is suitable for TIG welding of austenitic stainless steel in the automatic (robotic) mode at increased speed. The mixture will increase productivity (as compared to Inoxline H5) and reduce the dark oxide layer on the weld.
Inoxline N1 (Ar = 98.75%, N2 = 1.25%) is suitable for TIG welding of duplex and super duplex stainless steels, the admixture of N2 in argon stabilizes the phase of austenite in duplex steel.
Inoxline N2 (Ar = 97.50%, N2 = 2.50%) is suitable for TIG welding of duplex and super duplex stainless steels. The admixture of N2 in argon stabilizes the phase of austenite in duplex steel.
Inoxline C2 (Ar = 97.5%, CO2 = 2.5%) is suitable for MAG welding medium and high alloy (stainless) steels. For this mixture, welding is possible in both normal and pulsed mode, as well as robotic welding. The mixture is well suited for metal welding up to 10 mm thick.
Inoxline X2 (Ar = 98%, O2 = 2%) is suitable for MAG welding medium and high alloy (stainless) steels. Oxygen has the property of increasing the temperature of the welding pool, so the seams are characterized by narrow and deep penetration.
Inoxline X8 (Ar = 92%, O2 = 8%) is recommended for MAG welding to be used for stainless steel with a thickness of more than 10 mm, due to increased concentration of oxygen.
Inoxline С3Х1 (Ar = 96%, СО2 = 3%, O2 = 1%) is suitable for MAG welding, which is applicable for high alloy steel of small and medium thickness (up to 10 mm).
Inoxline C5X5 (Ar = 90%, CO2 = 5%, O2 = 5%) is suitable for MAG welding both low alloy and medium alloy steels.
Inoxline He15C2 mixture (Ar = 83%, CO2 = 2%, He = 15%) is suitable for MAG welding of high alloy (stainless) steels with a thickness of more than 10 mm. Helium has a higher thermal conductivity than argon, in addition, helium is an inert gas and does not interact with steel. All this allows you to get a deeper and wider penetration of the material.
Inoxline He30N2C (Ar = 67.88%, He = 30%, H2 = 2%, CO2 = 0.12%) is specially designed for MAG welding of materials with a high nickel content. In this mixture, to reduce oxidative processes, the addition of CO2 is only 0.12%.
ALULINE
Shielding gases for aluminium and non-ferrous metals
ALULINE
ALULINE is the group of gases for welding pure aluminium, aluminium alloys, nickel- and copper-based materials. In some cases, gases in this group can be used for welding of big thickness of stainless steel.
ELME MESSER GAAS offers welding argon with a purity of Ar 4.6 (99.996%) for TIG welding steels, high alloy steels and high-purity argon Ar 4.8 (99.998%) for welding non-ferrous metal products, such as aluminium and its alloys.
As you know, aluminium is a metal with higher thermal and electrical conductivity compared to low-carbon unalloyed steel. At the same time, the melting temperature of aluminium is about 660 degrees, which is almost 3 times less than that of steel. These physical properties affect the welding process as follows. In the first seconds of the start of the welding process, it is required to establish increased currents in order to enhance the thermal effect since heat rapidly leaves the weld zone due to high thermal conductivity. When the metal starts to heat up, the welding current should be reduced on the contrary due to the low melting point of aluminium.
As you know, the inert gas helium has higher thermal conductivity compared to argon. Therefore, even a small addition of helium to argon will increase the heating of the material. ELME MESSER GAAS offers the following mixtures for welding aluminium and aluminium alloys:
Aluline He30 (Ar = 70%, Нe = 30%) is used for welding copper, aluminium, copper-nickel alloys, allows to increase welding productivity
Aluline He50 (Ar = 50%, Нe = 50%) is used for welding copper, aluminium, copper-nickel alloys, allows to increase welding productivity
Aluline He70 (Ar = 30%, Нe = 70%) is used for welding copper, aluminium, copper-nickel alloys, allows to increase welding performance, suitable for sheets of high-thickness material
Aluline He90 (Ar = 10%, Нe = 90%) is used for welding copper, aluminium, copper-nickel alloys, allows to increase welding productivity, suitable for sheets of high-thickness material, allows TIG welding with direct polarity (electrode negative).
FORMIER GAS
Shielding gas for protection of the weld root and small pipes
Forming
During welding of stainless steels, it is necessary to protect the back side of the seam. Stainless steel oxidizes when heated in the presence of air to 350 degrees and above, and chromium carbides begin to form when the temperature rises above 1100 degrees. Chromium carbide is a black solid crystal with a melting point of about 1800 degrees. They only dissolve in boiling hydrochloric acid. In addition, the steel is not protected from destruction and corrosion in places where chromium carbides are formed.
To protect the back of the material, ELME MESSER GAAS suggests using:
Argon 4.6 (99.996% purity)
Argon 4.8 (purity 99.998%).
Argon in this case is a universal gas that can be used both in welding and in root protection. To protect the weld root, argon is perfectly suitable for any group of stainless steels: ferritic, austenitic, martensitic and duplex steel.
Specifically to protect the weld root when welding the most widespread austenitic steel, ELME MESSER GAAS has developed a forming gas. It allows not only to protect the metal, but also to form a reverse roller of the correct form.
Forming gas H (N2 = 95-80%, H2 = 5-20%)
To protect the weld root in stainless steels of the austenitic group, welding mixtures can also be used:
Inoxline H2 (Ar = 98%, H2 = 2%)
Inoxline H5 (Ar = 95%, H2 = 5%)
OXYFUEL
Fuel gas and oxygen are used to generate the cutting flame
OXY-FUEL
Nowadays, the technology of gas cutting and welding is being replaced by electric arc welding and cutting. But in certain cases OXY-FUEL technology is indispensable. It uses two types of gases: a combustible gas and oxygen. The combustible gas is required to melt the material. The function of oxygen is to increase the flame temperature and to blow molten metal out of the cutting zone.
At the top of the list of gases for gas welding and cutting is acetylene C2H2. This is the only gas suitable for welding as it gives the highest flame temperature (up to 3200 degrees). It is also the only gas used for flame straightening as it has the highest burning rate, which is important for heating during flame straightening. Flame straightening is a technological process by which deformations in welded structures can be eliminated quickly and without damage to the material.
In addition to acetylene, other gases are also suitable for metal cutting. ELME MESSER GAAS also offers:
Propane (C3H8) – although it has a lower flame temperature than acetylene, it is sometimes more expedient to use propane for cutting.
MAPP is a methylacetylene-propadiene propane gas mixture that is used mainly for hard and soft soldering, heating, cutting. Its advantage is that it can be operated at low temperatures, provides a colourless flame and a high temperature of combustion in air.
Propylene is used mainly for cutting, hard and soft soldering, heating.
PLASMA CUTTING
A shielding gas layer surrounds the plasma beam and protects the cutting zone
Plasma cutting
Plasma is a highly ionized gas. In a plasma machine, plasma is formed between the non-consumable tungsten electrode and the welding material. The plasma temperature reaches 30,000 degrees above zero. In plasma machines, plasma is most often used for cutting metal. Obviously, when the metal is already molten, a gas is needed to blow the liquid metal out of the cut zone.
ELME MESSER GAAS offers the following gases:
Ar 4.6 (99.996%) – suitable for absolutely all metals and alloys, retains an inert atmosphere at high temperatures
Nitrogen (N2 = 100%) – suitable for cutting stainless steel, since nitrogen does not react with stainless steel. The cost of nitrogen is lower than that of argon. It can also be used for low-carbon unalloyed steel; it gives a better cut compared to oxygen.
Oxygen (O2 = 100%) – suitable only for low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloy steels. Unacceptable for cutting stainless steels because solid inclusions of chromium carbide are formed in the cutting zone.
Laser welding and cutting is the most promising metal processing technology in our days. Laser cutting has a much narrower and more direct cut compared to plasma cutting. Laser cutting allows you to get a cleaner and smoother cut, which does not require further refinement.
The main limitation of laser cutting is the relatively small thickness of the processed material.
Like in plasma cutting, the melted metal after the laser beam must be blown out of the cut zone. ELME MESSER GAAS suggests using such gases for this purpose:
O2 = 100% (with a purity of 2.5, i.e. 99.5%) – suitable for cutting low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloy steels. Unacceptable for cutting stainless steels, because solid inclusions of chromium carbide are formed in the cutting zone.
O2 = 100% (with a purity of 3.5, i.e. 99.95%) – allows you to increase the cutting speed up to 10% (in comparison with oxygen 2.5). Suitable for cutting low carbon unalloyed and low-alloy steels. Unacceptable for cutting stainless steels, because solid inclusions of chromium carbide are formed in the cutting zone.
N2 = 100% (with a purity of 4.6, i.e. 99.996%) – suitable for cutting both stainless and low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloyed steel, since nitrogen does not react with stainless steel. The cost of nitrogen is slightly higher than that of oxygen. However, the cutting speed for low carbon steel is less than when using oxygen.
N2 = 100% (with a purity of 4.8, i.e. 99.998%) – suitable for cutting both stainless and low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloyed steel, since nitrogen does not react with stainless steel. High purity nitrogen reduces the frequency of cleaning the focusing system of the laser cutting machine.
However, the cutting speed for low carbon steel is less than when using oxygen.
LASER CUTTING
Gases used in laser cutting
LASER CUTTING
Laser welding and cutting is the most promising metal processing technology in our days. Laser cutting has a much narrower and more direct cut compared to plasma cutting. Laser cutting allows you to get a cleaner and smoother cut, which does not require further refinement.
The main limitation of laser cutting is the relatively small thickness of the processed material. Like in plasma cutting, the melted metal after the laser beam must be blown out of the cut zone. ELME MESSER GAAS suggests using such gases for this purpose:
Oxygen = 100% (with a purity of 2.5, i.e. 99.5%) – suitable for cutting low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloy steels. Unacceptable for cutting stainless steels, because solid inclusions of chromium carbide are formed in the cutting zone.
LASLINE OXYCUT = 100% (with a purity of 3.5, i.e. 99.95%) – allows you to increase the cutting speed up to 10% (in comparison with oxygen 2.5). Suitable for cutting low carbon unalloyed and low-alloy steels. Unacceptable for cutting stainless steels, because solid inclusions of chromium carbide are formed in the cutting zone.
Nitrogen = 100% (with a purity of 4.6, i.e. 99.996%) – suitable for cutting both stainless and low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloyed steel, since nitrogen does not react with stainless steel. The cost of nitrogen is slightly higher than that of oxygen. However, the cutting speed for low carbon steel is less than when using oxygen.
LASLINE NITROCUT = 100% (with a purity of 4.8, i.e. 99.998%) – suitable for cutting both stainless and low-carbon unalloyed and low-alloyed steel, since nitrogen does not react with stainless steel. High purity nitrogen reduces the frequency of cleaning the focusing system of the laser cutting machine.
However, the cutting speed for low carbon steel is less than when using oxygen.
CONTACTS
Sales Manager
Vaidotas Jašinskas
Regions – Vilnius region
E-mail: jasinskasv@elmemesser.lt
Tel.: +370 5 271 5605
Mob.: +370 687 157 89
Sales Manager
Egidijus Krasilovas
Regions – Kaunas region
E-mail: egidijus.krasilovas@elmemesser.lt
Mob.: +370 612 24 802
Head Of Sales in West Region
Nerijus Rindeikis
Regions – West region
E-mail: rindeikisn@elmemesser.lt
Mob.: +370 687 449 25
Sales Manager
Andrius Jasulaitis
Regions – Šiauliai region
E-mail: andrius.jasulaitis@elmemesser.lt
Mob.: +370 614 82 392
GASES AND GAS MIXTURES FOR INERT GAS METAL ARC WELDING
MAG WELDING OF PLAIN STEELS
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Ferroline C8 | M20 | 92 | 8 | – | – | – | – | Plain and low-alloy steels, fine-grained structural steels |
| Ferroline C18 | M21 | 82 | 18 | – | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline C25 | M21 | 75 | 25 | – | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline X4 | M22 | 96 | – | 4 | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline X8 | M22 | 92 | – | 8 | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline C6 X1 | M24 | 93 | 6 | 1 | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline C12 X2 | M24 | 86 | 12 | 2 | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline C5 X5 | M23 | 90 | 5 | 5 | – | – | – | |
| Ferroline He20 C8 | M20 | 72 | 8 | – | 20 | – | – | |
| Carbon dioxide | C1 | – | 100 | – | – | – | – | |
Messer is pleased to help you choosing your shielding gas for welding.
MAG WELDING OF HIGH-ALLOY STEELS
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Inoxline C2 | M12 | 98 | 2 | – | – | – | – | High-alloy steels |
| Inoxline X2 | M13 | 98 | – | 2 | – | – | – | |
| Inoxline X8 | M22 | 92 | – | 8 | – | – | – | Low and high-alloy steels |
| Inoxline C3 X1 | M14 | 96 | 3 | 1 | – | – | – | |
| Inoxline C5 X5 | M23 | 90 | 5 | 5 | – | – | – | |
| Inoxline He15 C2 | M12 | 83 | – | 2 | 15 | – | – | High-alloy steels |
| Inoxline He30 H2 C | Z | 67.88 | 0.12 | – | 30 | 2 | – | Nickel-based alloys |
TIG WELDING OF HIGH-ALLOY STEELS
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Argon 4.6 | I1 | 100 | – | – | – | – | – | All high-alloy steels |
| Argon 4.8 | I1 | 100 | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Inoxline H2 | R1 | 98 | – | – | – | 2 | – | High-alloy, fully austenitic steels |
| Inoxline H5 | R1 | 95 | – | – | – | 5 | – | |
| Inoxline H7 | R1 | 92.5 | – | – | – | 7.5 | – | |
| Inoxline He3 H | R1 | 95.5 | – | – | 3 | 1.5 | – | |
| Duplex and super duplex steels | ||||||||
| Inoxline N2 | N2 | Residual | – | – | – | – | 2.5 | |
| Inoxline N1 | N2 | Rest | 1.25 | |||||
MIG AND TIG WELDING OF ALUMINIUM
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Aluline He30 | I3 | 70 | – | – | 30 | – | – | Aluminium and its alloys |
| Aluline He50 | I3 | 50 | – | – | 50 | – | – | |
| Aluline He70 | I3 | 30 | – | – | 70 | – | – | |
| Argon 4.6 | I1 | 100 | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Argon 4.8 | I1 | 100 | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Argon He90 | I3 | 10 | – | – | 90 | – | – | Aluminium (cathodic) |
FORMING
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Argon 4.6 Argon 4.8 | I1 | 100 | – | – | – | – | – | Austenitic CrNi steels, ferritic Cr steels, duplex steels, high-strength fine-grained structural steels, aluminium materials, other non-ferrous metals, gas-sensitive materials (titanium, zirconium, molybdenum) |
| Forming gas H5 | N5 | – | – | – | – | 5 | 95 | Steels, austenitic CrNi steels |
| Forming gas H8 | N5 | – | – | – | – | 8 | 92 | |
| Forming gas H12 | N5 | – | – | – | – | 12 | 88 | |
| Forming gas H15 | N5 | – | – | – | – | 15 | 85 | |
| Inoxline H2 | R1 | 98 | – | – | – | 2 | – | Austenitic CrNi steels, nickel and nickel-base alloys |
| Inoxline H5 | R1 | 95 | – | – | – | 5 | – | Austenitic CrNi steels, nickel and nickel-based alloys |
PLASMA CUTTING
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Argon 4.6 | I1 | Plasma gas | ||||||
| Nitrogen | N1 | 100 | High-alloy steels, aluminium and other non-ferrous metals | |||||
| Oxygen | O1 | 100 | Plain and low-alloy steels | |||||
LASER CUTTING
| Product | ISO 14175 | Composition [% by vol.] | Main applications | |||||
| Ar | CO2 | O2 | He | H2 | N2 | |||
| Oxygen industrial(2.5) | O1 | 100 | Plain and low-alloy steels | |||||
| Oxicut (oxygen 3.5) | O1 | 100 | 20% increase in cutting speed | |||||
| Nitrogen industrial(4.6) | N1 | 100 | All metals | |||||
| Nitrocut (nitrogen 5.0) | N1 | 100 | High purity of cutting edges | |||||
GASES FOR OXY-FUEL TECHNOLOGY
The different properties of the fuel gases determine the applications that they can be used for.
| Method | Fuel gas | ||||
| Acetylene | Propylene | Propane | MAPP | ||
| Flame cutting | |||||
| Sheet thickness up to 12mm | XXX | XX | X | XX | |
| 10- 50mm | XX | XXX | XX | XXX | Addition |
| 50- 200mm | X | XX | XXX | XX | Addition |
| over 200mm | X | XX | XXX | XX | |
| Welding | XXX | – | – | – | |
| Flame soldering | X | XX | XXX | XX | |
| Flame straightening | XXX | X | – | – | |
| Flame cleaning | |||||
| Steel | XXX | – | – | – | |
| Concrete | XXX | XX | X | XX | Addition |
| Flame spraying | Depending on device and manufacturer | ||||