Gases for welding and oxygen cutting

Specific gases by material and process

The gases that intervene in welding and cutting are varied, from acetylene and argon to CO₂, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and some mixtures.

Before obtaining gases for welding and oxygen cutting, it is crucial to determine their intended use, the materials involved, and the desired outcome:

• GTAW welding.
• MIG welding.
• MAG welding.
• Autogenous welding.
• Laser beam welding.
• Plasma.
• Oxygen cutting.
• Laser cutting.

Each of these processes requires a different gas. For example, in GTAW and MIG/MAG welding, inert gases are used, mainly argon and helium, to eliminate the air during welding and avoid the oxidation of materials such as steel. To a lesser extent, shielding gases such as CO₂ and reducing gases such as oxygen and hydrogen, are used too.

Nonetheless, gases used in oxygen-cutting are acetylene (because of its calorific power that makes it possible to reach high working temperatures) and oxygen (as an oxidising agent to enliven the flame).

In addition to a wide range of welding gases, OXIGEN salud offers an extensive catalogue of welding and oxygen-cutting accessories and tools: welding, heating, and cutting blowtorches, gas cylinders, hoses, welding machines, gas regulators, pipeline accessories, safety valves, nitrogen test kit, gas cylinder trolley, thermal lances, and filler metals.