Welding gas protects the weld puddle by keeping other unwanted gases out

Some welding processes will require you to use some kind of welding gas or shielding gas.

The reason that you need the shielding gas is so that it can protect the welding arc from oxygen and other gases in the surrounding air near the welding arc.

Shielding gas comes in a variety of flavours.

Which one you should use all depends on;

1. What type of welding process you are using

2. What quality of welding bead apperance you want

3. What material you are welding

4. Econonomical choice of gase to use

5. What type of consumable electrode you are using

6. Level of welding penetration required

The most commonly used mig welding wire in Australia by AWS standards is what is called ER70S-6 welding wire. And the most common welding gas that is used with this is a mixed gas of carbon dioxide (CO2) and argon (Ar), at a ratio of 75%Ar to 25%CO2.

This is also called C25 in the USA. (ie C for carbon at 25%)

But you can also use straight carbon dioxide (CO2), or you can use straight Argon (Ar). Or a mix of it all.

The CO2 will give you much deeper welding penetration, and it is far cheaper to buy as it is not mixed in with other gases. But on the downside the weld beads will not be as smooth as with mixed gas and there will be a lot more spatter.

In the ship building industry virtually all the shielding gas that they use is CO2, because of cost, and penetration.

Welding gas is used in mig welding.

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