MIG welding is well known for causing spatter, even for the most experienced of welders! It can be extremely frustrating when the excess molten wire created during the weld spatters, as too much spatter obviously leads to downtime for clean-up, along with a whole host of wasted materials.
Whilst we’d love to give you a fool-proof guide to avoiding spatter completely, this just isn’t achievable unfortunately. That’s why we’re giving you our checklist on reducing spatter when MIG welding, whilst also highlighting some of the main reasons that welding spatter occurs.
What Is MIG Welding Spatter?
Simply put, MIG welding spatter, often referred to as splatter, is comprised of molten droplets of welding material. It is usually generated around the welding arc, and once these molten droplets land and cool, they create spatter around the worksurface and sometimes on the product you are actually welding.
Spatter is the norm when MIG welding, it’s inevitable that you’ll get it no matter what you do, it’s honestly just a case of how much spatter you’ll get around your worksurface in most cases.
Main Reasons For Welding Spatter
There are a number of reasons that welding spatter occurs, and in the following section we highlight just a few of the most common explanations for why you are experiencing so much MIG welding spatter during your projects:
- User Error – Welding technique can have a huge impact on the amount of spatter you have from your weld. Whether you use the dragging or pushing technique whilst MIG welding, there will always be some spatter if you don’t hold the MIG gun optimally and you’ll always find that your weld will spatter.
- Using Incorrect Machine Parameters – Check your machine parameters and be sure they’re running at the right settings for the work you are carrying out. Check the amperage and voltage, polarity and stick-out as your first port of call.
- Low-Quality Consumables – Using low-quality consumables during your weld is a sure way to increase the spatter from your weld, so always take the time to try a few products at various price points to see which works best for you. For example, low-quality wire can cause issues as it may feed through the gun too quickly, causing the weld to spatter.
- Dirty Welding Tools or Work Surfaces – Any rust, paint or grease that is present on your work surface or tools will cause the arc to spit, causing splashes of spatter to come out of the weld. If you are going to be doing any welding, it’s essential that you have a well-prepared surface, and if your tools are a little worse for wear, it may be time to invest in some new ones.
Now that you’re aware of some of the main reasons that you’re experiencing so much spatter, it’s essential that you take the time to create a checklist of ways to reduce the amount of spatter you experience.
Checklist For Reducing Spatter When MIG Welding
This is by no means a definitive list, and not all of these tips will reduce spatter for everyone, but if you do heed our advice and try all of the steps on our checklist, you should see an improvement. Here’s our checklist for reducing the amount of MIG welding spatter you experience:
- Hold Your MIG Gun Correctly – Before starting the weld, always hold the MIG gun at no more than 15 degrees from vertical, as any deviation from this angle can cause the shielding gas to cover the weld unevenly, whilst also causing some spattering.
- Check For Contaminated Materials Before Starting – Ensure that your worksurface is properly cleaned before starting any welding, and be sure to clean or replace any dirty or rusted wires that you may be using. All of this will go a long way to ensuring that you vastly reduce the chances of spatter on your next weld.
- Don’t Compromise on Quality Consumables – If you find consumables that work best for you, then we would suggest you stick with them, even if there are more expensive alternatives on the market. It’s essential that you always remember that just because a consumable is the most expensive, it doesn’t always mean it’s the best. Be sure to get high-quality MIG welding gas, wire and nozzels to guarantee that you’re doing all you can to reduce the amount of spatter your weld makes.
- Check for Faulty Equipment – Tried all of the above steps and still having issues with spatter? You may well have some faulty welding equipment, so it’s well worth having a thorough check to see if there are any obvious defects. If your equipment is relatively old, it may well be time to consider purchasing some new welding equipment to help save you time cleaning up all of the spatter in the future!
We hope that you find this checklist useful as the team at Adams Gas fully understand just how frustrating MIG welding spatter can be for all welding professionals. If you’re keen on learning more on MIG welding in general, be sure to check out our blog, where we have many other articles dedicated to the subject. If you are looking to update your MIG Welding Supplies take a look at our range and remember our MIG Welding Gas is available to order online.
How to Reduce Spatter When MIG Welding
MIG welding is well known for causing spatter, even for the most experienced of welders! It can be extremely frustrating when the excess molten wire created during the weld spatters, as too much spatter obviously leads to downtime for clean-up, along with a whole host of wasted materials.
Whilst we’d love to give you a fool-proof guide to avoiding spatter completely, this just isn’t achievable unfortunately. That’s why we’re giving you our checklist on reducing spatter when MIG welding, whilst also highlighting some of the main reasons that welding spatter occurs.
What Is MIG Welding Spatter?
Simply put, MIG welding spatter, often referred to as splatter, is comprised of molten droplets of welding material. It is usually generated around the welding arc, and once these molten droplets land and cool, they create spatter around the worksurface and sometimes on the product you are actually welding.
Spatter is the norm when MIG welding, it’s inevitable that you’ll get it no matter what you do, it’s honestly just a case of how much spatter you’ll get around your worksurface in most cases.
Main Reasons For Welding Spatter
There are a number of reasons that welding spatter occurs, and in the following section we highlight just a few of the most common explanations for why you are experiencing so much MIG welding spatter during your projects:
- User Error – Welding technique can have a huge impact on the amount of spatter you have from your weld. Whether you use the dragging or pushing technique whilst MIG welding, there will always be some spatter if you don’t hold the MIG gun optimally and you’ll always find that your weld will spatter.
- Using Incorrect Machine Parameters – Check your machine parameters and be sure they’re running at the right settings for the work you are carrying out. Check the amperage and voltage, polarity and stick-out as your first port of call.
- Low-Quality Consumables – Using low-quality consumables during your weld is a sure way to increase the spatter from your weld, so always take the time to try a few products at various price points to see which works best for you. For example, low-quality wire can cause issues as it may feed through the gun too quickly, causing the weld to spatter.
- Dirty Welding Tools or Work Surfaces – Any rust, paint or grease that is present on your work surface or tools will cause the arc to spit, causing splashes of spatter to come out of the weld. If you are going to be doing any welding, it’s essential that you have a well-prepared surface, and if your tools are a little worse for wear, it may be time to invest in some new ones.
Now that you’re aware of some of the main reasons that you’re experiencing so much spatter, it’s essential that you take the time to create a checklist of ways to reduce the amount of spatter you experience.
Checklist For Reducing Spatter When MIG Welding
This is by no means a definitive list, and not all of these tips will reduce spatter for everyone, but if you do heed our advice and try all of the steps on our checklist, you should see an improvement. Here’s our checklist for reducing the amount of MIG welding spatter you experience:
- Hold Your MIG Gun Correctly – Before starting the weld, always hold the MIG gun at no more than 15 degrees from vertical, as any deviation from this angle can cause the shielding gas to cover the weld unevenly, whilst also causing some spattering.
- Check For Contaminated Materials Before Starting – Ensure that your worksurface is properly cleaned before starting any welding, and be sure to clean or replace any dirty or rusted wires that you may be using. All of this will go a long way to ensuring that you vastly reduce the chances of spatter on your next weld.
- Don’t Compromise on Quality Consumables – If you find consumables that work best for you, then we would suggest you stick with them, even if there are more expensive alternatives on the market. It’s essential that you always remember that just because a consumable is the most expensive, it doesn’t always mean it’s the best. Be sure to get high-quality MIG welding gas, wire and nozzels to guarantee that you’re doing all you can to reduce the amount of spatter your weld makes.
- Check for Faulty Equipment – Tried all of the above steps and still having issues with spatter? You may well have some faulty welding equipment, so it’s well worth having a thorough check to see if there are any obvious defects. If your equipment is relatively old, it may well be time to consider purchasing some new welding equipment to help save you time cleaning up all of the spatter in the future!
We hope that you find this checklist useful as the team at Adams Gas fully understand just how frustrating MIG welding spatter can be for all welding professionals. If you’re keen on learning more on MIG welding in general, be sure to check out our blog, where we have many other articles dedicated to the subject. If you are looking to update your MIG Welding Supplies take a look at our range and remember our MIG Welding Gas is available to order online.
How To: Safely Transport Gas Cylinders
Ensuring that you transport gas cylinders in a safe and responsible manner is essential to the safety and welfare of your employees and the general public. Gas cylinders need to be respected as they can be extremely dangerous if they aren’t transported with the utmost care, so understanding the steps you need to take in order to safely move these products is vital.
Read on to find out more about the laws surrounding transporting gas cylinders and how gas cylinders should be transported for both domestic and commercial use.
Laws Surrounding Transporting Gas Cylinders
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations (ADR) 2009 place a statutory requirement on all employers to protect everyone who is either directly involved with, or who may become involved with (e.g. members of the public), the carriage of dangerous goods by road.
This legislation covers all goods considered dangerous by the ADR, which includes transporting gas cylinders in vehicles.
It’s worth noting that these regulations do not apply in the following scenarios:
- When private individuals carry dangerous goods, which are packaged for retail sale and intended solely for personal use
- When dangerous goods are carried only incidentally to the main enterprise’s main activity (e.g. a plumber carrying propane gas bottles on his way to a job)
Despite these exemptions, Gas Safe still recommends that any organisation transporting dangerous goods, such as butane gas bottles, follows the basic legal safety regulations within ADR, which include:
- Driver training
- Vehicle ventilation
- Safety Equipment
- Basic safety training (with gases)
You should always ensure that you comply with the following points too:
- Never allow anyone to smoke in, or near to, any vehicle that is being used to transport gas bottles
- Never carry more than 333kg of gas without an ADR license
- Do not operate any sources of ignition near the gas bottles, this includes lanterns and cigarette lighters, among other things
- Do not carry any unnecessary passengers whilst transporting gas cylinders
If at any point you smell gas whilst transporting bottles for either commercial or domestic use, immediately pull over in a safe place, stop the engine and do not move the vehicle until the source of the leak has been found and the vehicle has been declared safe by a competent person.
If you are unable to find the source of the leak, call a competent person immediately, maximise ventilation by fully opening all doors, windows and vents where possible and be sure not to turn on any electrical equipment.
It’s also worth noting that these guidelines apply to a whole host of dangerous products, such as transporting oxygen cylinders, and are in accordance with LPG transport regulations.
Transporting Gas Cylinders For Domestic Use
If you’re using gas for domestic purposes and transporting the cylinder in a car or van, it is worth noting that you must abide by safety regulations for transporting the product. They must be secured in the vehicle so that they won’t shift if you have to make an emergency stop or another sudden manoeuvre. It’s worth noting that if you don’t have your gas cylinders completely secured in your vehicle and you’re stopped by the police, you will be fined.
Here’s a few top tips for transporting gas cylinders in your vehicle for domestic use:
- Secure your cannister so it doesn’t roll around
- Keep the cylinder upright
- If you have a trailer, put the cylinder in that
- Ensure the cylinder is in an area that is easy to access and inspect
- Do not leave the cylinder in direct sunlight or a hot car for long periods of time
Safely Transporting Gas Cylinders for Businesses
If you are transporting gas cylinders for commercial use, or are delivering gas cylinders that have been sold through your business to domestic customers, you should consider the following:
Ensure that any driver who will be transporting the goods are trained in and follow basic safety requirements such as:
- Knowing the associated hazards and dangers of the goods being transported
- Understanding best practice when it comes to the safe handling of gas cylinders
- Have a working understanding of emergency procedures and the use of fire-fighting appliances
If any training has been carried out, this should always be recorded in writing by both the employee and employer. Along with this, training should always be periodically supplemented with refresher training to take into account any regulation changes.
Any vehicle that is used for the transportation of gas cylinders should be open, and if this cannot be achieved, then the vehicle must be well ventilated. Any cylinders carried on the vehicle must have a label that is produced in accordance with current legislation attached to it, if the label is removed or defaced you should not load the cylinder onto your vehicle.
Each cylinder valve must be closed during transit, and any equipment that is connected to them must be unattached. Furthermore, all gas cylinders must be secured properly and should not project beyond the sides or end of the vehicle.
Each vehicle that will carry cylinders must also carry a 2kg fire extinguisher to fight any engine or cab fires that may occur during transit.
Advantages of Using Nitrogen for Air Conditioning
With each passing summer, we seem to keep on seeing record high temperatures hit the UK. With a noticeable shift in the number of hot days we experience, it’s fair to say that homeowners and businesses alike are looking for ways to effectively keep cool during any hot spells; this is easier said than done though, with the vast majority of UK homes insulated for the colder months.
Business News Update
Throughout the lockdown, we have continued to offer our services to customers in need of essential gases. We offer Calor gas for heating and cooking, but we also supply important industrial gas needed to keep garages and workshops running. MIG welding gas and TIG welding gas for garages and workshops are essential for keeping couriers and their vehicles on the road.
We are continuing to offer our full range of gas so that you can continue with your life at home or work. The answers that you may be seeking to any further questions regarding our business during the lockdown are answered below:
Are We Still Open for Business?
We are still open for business, although in correlation with government guidelines, we would ask that our customers contact us via our website or telephone systems to reduce physical contact with our staff.
This said, we are still open for individuals to collect their gas from our office, but we would recommend that customers pre-order and pay for goods online so that we can offer a click and collect service. This will also reduce the spread of the disease and we thank all our customers who have changed their usual routine with us to help the country stay safe.
We will not be accepting cash or cheques during the lockdown. This is to reduce physical transmission of the virus.
Have Our Business Hours Changed?
Our business hours during the lockdown are as follows:
8.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday
Are Gas Deliveries Affected by the Lockdown?
Our delivery service has changed to be a doorstop delivery only. Our drivers will deposit your required gas at your door and collect any empty bottles to return. We are operating on no-contact delivery services to reduce the spread of the virus.
What Are We Doing to Follow Government Guidelines?
We have followed government guidelines to enable our business to fight the coronavirus appropriately.
- We are following 2m social distancing in our office and warehouse.
- Our click and collect service enables customers to collect equipment with minimal contact.
- The counter is currently closed to customers, but in the coming weeks we will be erecting screens on the counter. This will provide our staff and customers with greater safety and peace of mind when we re-open in the future.
Keeping You Updated
Adams Gas plans to follow the government guidelines as closely as possible whilst continuing to supply gas. We will continue to keep our customers updated as best we can through our social media channels and website.
Thank you for your patience, we look forward to returning to normal soon.
Gas Cylinder Storage Rules
Gas canisters can be incredibly volatile if treated incorrectly, especially if they contain highly pressurised gas such as nitrogen or a flammable gas such as butane gas and propane gas. Therefore, if you have some gas canisters, make sure you know how to store them correctly and the situations that you need to avoid putting them in.
Keep Them Away from Heat Sources
One of the most important things when storing gas canisters is to make sure that they are kept away from sources of heat. This is because all gases undergo a phenomenon that is governed by a physical law known as Gay-Lussac’s (or Amonton’s) law. It essentially states that as the temperature of a gas increases, its pressure increases. This is because the molecules of the gas are getting more energetic and further apart, which means that they will be pressing against the walls of the canister with greater force the more they heat up.
If a gas canister is near a heat source, the pressure inside will increase and this could cause a devastating explosion, especially if the contents are flammable. With this in mind, it is very important to make sure that your gas is stored in a cool place.
Keep Your Storage Well Ventilated
Now that you know that your gas needs to be stored somewhere cool, your first thought might be that your basement or cellar will act as a great place for your gas storage; however, there are some elements that you need to be aware of before you start stashing your gas underground.
For propane and butane gas bottles, never, under any circumstance, store them below ground. This is because, if there is a leak and there is no ventilation, the gas will sit at floor level and slowly build up in the room. This can be fatal to small children and pets as they won’t be able to breathe properly and that can lead to a sudden death.
If the basement is well ventilated, this is less of an issue. In a well-ventilated room, the leak will be vented out and your air will be kept clean and safe. You are also less likely to suffer a leak if you keep your gas canisters upright, and it is best practice to keep them away from building entrances, exits and drains.
Store Them Upright and Securely
Make sure that all canisters and bottles are stored upright and securely. This is to prevent the canisters from toppling and leaking into the surroundings. If you’re worried about theft and don’t want to keep them outside because of this, you can invest in a cage to protect your gas without causing a hazard to your safety.
Negligence is also a great theft of gas, so make sure to check your gas canister fixtures and fittings regularly to ensure that everything is working as you expect it to. A poor regulator might not warn you that a leak is occurring, so it is important to do a manual check every now and then.
When using gas canisters, always remember that your safety is a priority, so follow the correct rules and be safe with whatever you are doing. Here at Adams Gas, we offer a variety of products, from petroleum gases like propane and butane to nitrogen and CO2 bottles.
We make safety our number one priority, which is why our bottles and equipment undergo regular safety checks. If you would like to know more about our products and services, you can contact us.
Caravan Cooking Equipment
In light of the current lockdown, we anticipate that many individuals will be looking forward to making plans for weekends out once this is all over. Some of these individuals may be updating their caravans and campervans during their newfound free time and will be excited for a chance to use them in the future.
We recommend that you check the latest government guidelines before exiting your property, but in the meantime, we’re going to look at the type of caravan cooking equipment that you might want to consider installing in your van if you’re using this time to prepare for an amazing self-sufficient camping holiday in the future.
Caravan Cooking Equipment
The size of your van is going to dictate the size of your cooker significantly, so when it comes to choice your main question is likely going to depend on what type of fuel you want to be carrying to power your van’s appliances.
For camping cookers that can run off-grid, there are typically two types; butane cookers and propane cookers. These refer to the type of fuel consumed by the cookers. If you already have other appliances installed using one of these types of fuel, then you should choose a cooker that matches your preferred fuel type so that you don’t have to waste space on extra fuel storage.
It may also be cheaper for you to buy one type of fuel in greater bulk, than two types of fuel in smaller portions, but there are benefits to each type that you may not have previously considered. We’ll talk about these in the next section.
Propane vs Butane
Both are popular choices for camping fuel, but they each have setbacks and advantages. Knowing how each type of gas works will help you to choose a camping gas that most suits your camping style.
If you like to camp during cold weather and the winter months, propane is the better choice for your caravan. When it gets cold, butane can compress too much and so it becomes difficult to get the gas to flow correctly. This may mean that butane appliances will have notably worse output during colder months than propane.
On the other hand, if you love the warm weather and only camp during the summer, you should consider a butane cooker because butane burns more efficiently and therefore will save you money and time whilst cooking.
Don’t forget to check what type of fuel your camping stove officially supports before you order anything or try to use it.
Once you’ve decided what type of fuel you will be using in your van, here are some extra tips to help you to find the perfect appliance:
- Always check the fuel-to-boil speed. This will tell you how efficient the cooker will be using the fuel you buy and will save you money in the long run.
- It’s important to put the size of the cooker first. Don’t buy a huge cooker if you rarely go camping with more than four people or you might regret the space it takes up in your van.
- A second-hand cooker might be cheaper but be careful to check the warranty on it.
Camping Breakfast
A stereotypical camping breakfast will include a lot of tinned ingredients, especially if you’re on a long stint away from the local shops. Here are some popular ingredients used in a camping breakfast:
- Tinned beans
- Pre-made pancakes
- Spam
- Bread
- Oil
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Black pudding
- Tea bags and milk
- Cereals
- Fruit Salad
It’s important to eat a hearty breakfast when you’re preparing for a long day of physical exercise.
National Garden Camp Out
If you can’t wait to try your newly fitted out campervan then don’t worry – you don’t have to wait! Plenty of avid campers are enjoying their vehicles without leaving their property, and their raising money while doing it, too.
There have even been competitions challenging campers to show their best set-up from their gardens, encouraging people to get outside and enjoy nature without impacting on current government health regulations and social distancing.
You can learn more about how the campervan community is supporting the NHS during the coronavirus crisis at Out&AboutLive. The latest national garden camp-out was April 11th, but there may be more in the future if the lockdown continues into the summer months.
You can read more about other appliances in your caravan which might require gas and how we can help to supply you with the gas that you need on our blog: Uses for Calor Gas in Caravans. Our camping gas bottles are refillable, and we stock both propane gas and butane gas.
How to Recycle Your Gas Cylinders
Recycling gas cylinders is an important but often dangerous job. It’s not enough to leave your gas cylinder in your general waste in case there is any leftover gas that could cause an accident. You need to think carefully about the right way to dispose of your unwanted cylinders, and we can help you with this blog.
NOT IN THE BIN
It can be very dangerous to put your unwanted gas canister in normal waste disposal, because they are pressurised, which could lead to an explosion if crushed. There’s a new story every year about some unsuspecting family losing a loved-one due to improper disposal of their gas cylinders, so it’s important that these items are recognised for the potential danger they represent.
WHEN SHOULD I DISPOSE OF MY CYLINDER?
You will want to dispose of your cylinder if it’s empty or you no longer need any gas. If your cylinder is showing faults, such as leakage from the canister or valve, you should also consider getting rid of it. Some gas leakages can be more harmful to the environment than others, but it is important that all leakages are taken very seriously.
RECYCLE
Your gas canister is likely made from either aluminium or steel which are two of the most highly recycled metals in the recycling industry. However, recycling companies may have reservations about receiving empty gas cylinders.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Because gases are marked as dangerous goods they have to go through various strict regulations in their sale, transportation and disposal. Even if you think your canister is empty, you can’t be sure that the pressure guage isn’t broken or inaccurate. Consequently, recycling companies may not want to take your empty cylinders.
WHAT NEXT?
This doesn’t mean that your cylinders shouldn’t be recycled; aluminium and steel are important metals for recyclers. We should therefore avoid its waste as much as possible. Here’s a checklist to get your canister ready:
1 – Check your canister; is it suitable for recycling? If yes, then check your local regulations to be sure.
2 – We know gas can be dangerous because it is combustible. Because of this, it is extremely important that your canister is completely empty before recycling it. You can check if a canister is empty by rocking the cylinder; if you feel liquid movement within the cylinder, then you know it isn’t empty.
- To be sure, it is recommended that you drill a hole in the container. Some recycling companies even require empty canisters to be cut in half.
- Always take the appropriate safety precautions when dealing with dangerous products. Use safety goggles and work outdoors or under a fume hood, if available.
3 – Another aspect that makes a canister dangerous is the valve, which signals that the bottle is pressurised. In order to get your canister ready for recycling, you may be asked to remove the valve. You will need a special tool to do this safely, and it can be very difficult, which is why in most situations you should see if your supplier will take the canister back.
ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTIONS
At Adams Gas, we put heavy emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. As such, we like to sell refills. This is far better than disposing of a canister every time you need gas, but what do you do if you’re gas requirements drop and you need fewer bottles? The British Compressed Gas Association asks that you return empty or finished cylinders to bottled gas suppliers for further use or safe and efficient recycling.
If you buy helium canisters from us, your gas may be stored in a disposable gas cylinder. Once you’re finished with your cylinder, we ask that you return it to our company for its safe disposal. You can always trust Adams Gas to take care of your unwanted gas products, and you can also trust us to give you the best advice on any of your gas-related queries.
How to Detect Gas Leaks
Learning how to detect a gas leak could be very important knowledge that prevents an accident from occurring in your household or business premises. In this blog, we’re going to talk about different types of gas leaks and how to recognise them, as well as what to do if you find one in your home.
Liquid Nitrogen Leak
Liquid nitrogen gas leaks can be deadly; being odourless and invisible, it is easily missed. Luckily, liquid nitrogen is not combustible, so you aren’t going to need to worry about a sudden explosion occurring as a result of a liquid nitrogen leak; however, it is an asphyxiant.
Trying to breathe in an environment flooded with liquid nitrogen will effectively strangle an individual. A surplus of nitrogen in the air displaces the amount of oxygen available to the individual and breathing in this substance in large amounts can cause dizziness, confusion, lack of consciousness, and even death. Fatality can occur in seconds.
Liquid nitrogen is typically stored in a cryogenic container with a temperature and pressure control system. In order to prevent a leak, it is vital that your controls are functioning properly and undergo regular checks. The best place to store your gas is always outside, as any leaks will disperse into the atmosphere where they aren’t going to cause harm to nearby people.
If you MUST store this gas indoors, the recommended minimum ventilation for the room in which it is stored is six air changes per hour (airproducts.com). If you suspect that your nitrogen has already leaked into a room without adequate ventilation, the best course of action is to call a higher authority.
Here are some of the steps that a professional might take to identify your leak:
- Leak Detection Spray
This works by spraying the solution from a distance. If bubbles occur on the gas canister, a leak is present.
- Electronic Leak Detector
An electronic leak detector must be checked once a year, but best practice states that it should be checked within a day following each use.
If you’re worried about gas leaks occurring in your storage area, you could also think about purchasing an oxygen detection alarm which can inform you if the breathable oxygen available in the area drops below a sustainable percentage. Such alarms can help to save lives against leaks of undetectable gases.
Argon Gas Leak
Much like nitrogen, argon is a colourless and odourless gas that regularly defies detection but can cause a significant amount of harm if it leaks undetected. Like nitrogen, argon gas leaks can cause asphyxiation by displacing the percentage of oxygen available for humans to breath.
To prevent an argon gas leak from occurring, it is important that you regularly check your gas canister’s regulators to ensure that there are no malfunctions. You might suspect a leak if you hear a hissing noise emanating from one of your containers. To avoid hazard to human life, it is also best if you store your gas outside where any leaks can quickly disperse into the atmosphere. If this isn’t possible, your storage room must have adequate ventilation to sustain human life in the event of a leak.
If you are concerned about the possibility of a leak occurring and harming a friend, family-member or co-worker, you may also consider installing an oxygen alarm in your storage room. These alarms work by monitoring the amount of oxygen present in the air, and ringing if the oxygen falls below acceptable percentages, giving you the opportunity to call a higher authority to ventilate your property safely.
When you take the proper precautions with your argon gas bottles storage system, you should not have undue cause to worry.
Propane Gas Leak
Unlike nitrogen, propane is highly flammable so a propane gas leak that isn’t quickly ventilated could pose a risk of explosion. Unlike nitrogen, however, propane has a distinct smell of rotten eggs and thus is difficult to miss. If you suspect that you have a propane leak in your premises, it is vital that you don’t start any electrical equipment that might spark and catch light, and especially avoid naked flames.
You may also be able to detect a gas leak using your sense of hearing. If you hear a hissing noise emanating from a fitting using propane, it may be that there is a leak. It is best to get away from the leak as quickly as possible and call an authority if you suspect one. Do not use a telephone near the leak, as the sparks within the phone could ignite it.
If you are worried about the event of a propane gas leak, you can take extra precautions against them by buying an electronic propane gas detector, and by checking the functionality of the gas’ fittings and regulators often. You can also seek to store the gas outside or in a well-ventilated area.
We sell propane gas as well as propane gas bottle regulators. If you have any questions about our equipment, products or services, we are happy to speak to you about how our services can help you.
Butane Gas Leak
Like propane, butane is heavier than air and will sink. This means that if you’re storing butane gas at home, the youngest members of your family and pets are at the most risk from breathing in a butane gas leak.
Like all gas, butane is very safe if the right storage precautions are taken. You should try to store your gas outside where possible or provide adequate ventilation that meets lawful regulations if not. If you’re worried about a butane gas leak and want to take extra precautions then you can buy oxygen alarms, butane detectors, and to some extent rely on your own senses.
Butane should smell of rotten eggs because, like propane, most merchants mix butane with a bad-smelling substance that will indicate a leak to the owners without affecting the quality of the gas when it is applied as a fuel.
As a supplier of gas and gas-related equipment, we know a lot about keeping gas safe. If you have any concerns about how you’re storing your gas currently, you can get in touch with us for some advice. Alternatively, if you’re looking to purchase any of our products, you can browse our online store or visit us in Kent.
Fun Facts About Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is vital to our planet, from the air we breathe to the beer and construction industry, carbon dioxide is used in many wondrous ways. Below, we’ve summarised some of the most interesting and important facts about CO2.
What Does CO2 Taste Like?
The CO2 in our atmosphere is odourless and tasteless. This is because it is at such a low concentration that we are accustomed to it; but if you were to increase the amount of CO2 available in the air, you would notice a sharp acidic smell and taste. CO2 is also colourless, but pure is heavier than air so if you had a leak from a CO2 gas bottle, the gas would rest at floor level if it is undisturbed.
It’s Used to Make Tasty Beverages
Carbon dioxide is used to produce carbonated soft drinks and sparkling water, such as Coca-Cola. As beer gas, carbon dioxide is typically used to transfer beer from kegs to dispensing taps via pressurised carbon dioxide.
In wine making, a different type of carbon dioxide is used – dry ice. Dry ice is condensed carbon dioxide and it is used to cool down bunches of grapes to prevent spontaneous fermentation. Dry ice is typically used because, compared to water, it doesn’t affect the sugar concentration of the grapes themselves.
When CO2 is used to create such beverages, sometimes it can leave behind the acidic or sour taste that is experienced if one inhales the gas in high concentrations (this is not recommended). This is an important part of the taste of some drinks and counterbalances the sweetness in some.
You can read more about how gas is used in pubs and brewing on our blog; Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen: Which Do I Need?
What Would a World of CO2 Be Like?
Carbon dioxide is known as a greenhouse gas and this means that it can ‘trap’ and retain heat. If the Earth’s entire atmosphere consisted of carbon dioxide our planet’s habitat and atmosphere would closely mimic that of the planet Venus.
Venus’ atmosphere consists of roughly 96 – 97% carbon dioxide. Because of the sheer amount of carbon dioxide present, the surface of Venus continually retains heat and, as such, the surface temperature is roughly 467°C, making it the hottest planet in our solar system.
How Much CO2 is Present in Our Atmosphere?
Unlike oxygen and nitrogen, carbon dioxide is a trace gas within our atmosphere – there are roughly 500 parts per million, meaning that 0.05% of the Earth’s atmosphere is carbon dioxide. Although we don’t have much carbon dioxide on our planet, the balance that we do have is very important and so it is important that everyone seeks to reduce their CO2 production to avoid making the Earth more like Venus – trapped in greenhouse gases.
How Does Photosynthesis Work?
Photosynthesis is a process that occurs primarily in plants, but there are a few organisms that also use this technique to attain energy. Through photosynthesis, it is possible to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugars and energy), and oxygen is released as a by-product. Most of the oxygen present in Earth’s atmosphere is a result of photosynthesis, so it is also important that everyone supports keeping our planet’s forests and oceans clean if we want our planet to stay healthy.
It Can Be Used as a Laser
Carbon dioxide is the shielding gas for a CO2 laser. These lasers tend to be quite large which makes them difficult to use for precision, but they are very powerful, which can be useful for cutting through thick metal. Since carbon dioxide has multiple vibrational modes, it means that it can emit high-powered light which can be used to etch metal. Lasers are also used in welding, cutting, and surgery.
There are a lot of uses and applications for carbon dioxide, and it is tailored in specific ways to ensure that its purpose is fulfilled. At Adams Gas, we are able to provide carbon dioxide gas bottles for any project that you may be involved in. If you would like to know more information, then please get in touch today.
How to Choose Your Welding Accessories
To be a great welder, the individual needs both skills, experience, and great equipment. We can provide useful hints and tips to help you with your welding on our blog, but we are most experienced when it comes to helping you understand the importance of the welding equipment and tools that we stock instore.
Here’s our guide to our welding accessories and how they can benefit you.
Welding Pliers
Welding pliers have a number of uses and are a must-have for any professional welder. If you need to adjust your welding nozzle while it’s hot, you’ll want to be using these welding pliers. Proper welding pliers are also simultaneously wire cutters – offering you two tools in one! Welding pliers can also be used to remove spatter from the inside of the nozzle, so you really shouldn’t have to go without this useful tool in the workplace.
Welding Chemicals
If you regularly struggle with splatter during your welding attempts, then you might be having an issue with setting the pressure of shielding gas correctly for the type of gas and environment that you’re in. It’s important to learn to regulate your shield gas properly, but you can also use welding chemicals to prevent against splatter. We offer a choice of anti-splatter spray or paste. Many welders use a form of anti-spatter chemicals on their workpieces, but they’re also incredibly important for your welding torches, too. Don’t let spatter build up in your welding nozzle, pre-empt it by using anti-spatter spray on your torch and weld with better results.
Welding Regulator
Our MIG Welding Regulator is used to moderate the flow of your shielding gas. We supply MIG welding gas and TIG welding gas for your welding torches, but without a fully functioning welding regulator, your weld might not come out the way you want it to and you may even be putting yourself in danger.
You need a regulator that can give you the appropriate amount of pressure for the gas you’re using and your workpiece. For example, Acetylene can be explosive if it’s compressed too much, therefore you’re going to need a regulator that allows a fairly loose flow of gas, that still allows you to have some control over the amount of shielding gas for use on different materials.
Welding Fume Extraction Equipment
For any welder worrying about breathing any noxious fumes from welding, we recommend our Parweld Safety Helmets, which purify the air as well as providing protection for the wearer’s eyesight. It is battery powered so you won’t have to worry about tripping over wires while you weld, and the filter is easily replaceable, ensuring that your purchase of this helmet is a secure and long-term investment.
Safety should always be at the forefront of any business, especially in high-risk situations. For other helmets and general safety equipment – such as clothes, gloves and googles – check out our welding safety equipment page.
Gas Trolly
You don’t want to ruin a day of work by putting your back out in the morning, trying to carry a canister of gas to your workstation. Don’t risk your work, use our gas cylinder handling equipment instead. We offer small and large sizes to accommodate your business’ needs.
Toolbox
Organisation of all your different pieces of equipment can be just as important as owning the tools in the first place. After all, there’s little point in owning the tools if you can’t keep track of them or find them when you need them! We sell Weldability Toolbox Cases to help you keep everything together and safe from weathering.
Ready to Go Welding Sets
Alternatively, if you’re tired of sifting through pages of products, you might be interested in one of these sets. They offer all the basic equipment that you might need, and we have two types at present:
There are multiple choices depending on your gas-mix of choice, and depending on how your workshop is already stocked, some options may be more useful to you than others. These sets are here to make your life easier when trying to choose the optimal accessories for your welding needs and are especially useful for start-ups and hobbyists.
We supply a range of welding gases and accessories that will help you to achieve your best welds. Whether you’re welding for a client or for a hobby, we’re here to support you. We offer gas bottle delivery, as well as refills and safe gas canister disposal.
Safety: How to Store BBQ Gas Bottles Safely
At this time of year, many people are thinking about getting the barbecue out of the garage or shed and setting it up on the few days of sunshine that we may be treated to during the spring and summer months!
So, as people start to bring their barbecue and equipment out of storage, they may be wondering how best to keep their equipment, and more specifically, the gas canisters, safe. This is incredibly important, so we have put together a few hints detailing how and where to store BBQ gas bottles safely and responsibly.
Store Gas Bottles Outdoors
It’s important that any gas cylinders you have are stored outdoors. If you don’t have an outdoor space, then ensure that they are stored in a place that is extremely well ventilated. If you don’t have a space that is suitable, you should think about other options for fuel or storage such as asking a relative or neighbour to store your gas bottles responsibly.
If you fail to store your gas bottles appropriately, then you risk incurring an accident or fatality as a result of a gas leak.
If a gas bottle leaks whilst it is stored outdoors, the gas will easily disperse into the atmosphere. If the bottle is kept indoors with poor ventilation, however, the gas will have nowhere to escape and will fill the room. This can cause suffocation, poisoning, or – in the event of a stray spark or fire – explosions.
Safety for Transporting Gas
If you are going camping and will be taking a gas bottle with you in your car or van, there are some steps that you can take to maximise the safety of you and your travelling companions:
- Keep your bottles upright
- Ensure that they are secure
- Keep the vehicle well ventilated
- A 2kg fire extinguisher is required on all vehicles carrying gas
- Ensure the cylinder valve is closed
- Remove any extraneous equipment attached to the cylinder
- No smoking in the vehicle
- No open sources of ignition near the gas
- Fit a blanking cap to the outlet connection
Camping should be fun – so you shouldn’t have to worry about your gas whilst you drive. Take the proper precautions and drive with confidence. If you are ever concerned about travelling with gas – stop and park if you’re already in the car, turn off the engine and get out – speak to us and we’ll try to answer any immediate worries you have about your current gas storage.
Store Away from Lowered Areas
Propane and butane are heavier than air, so when released, the gas will sink. This can present a serious danger, especially if the gas bottles are kept near a lowered area. When the gas enters this area, the oxygen is displaced, effectively creating a chamber of air that has little to no oxygen. This creates a high possibility of suffocation.
Store Gas Bottles Away from Heat
It should go without saying that gas cannisters should not be stored near a source of heat or ignition. The type of gas used for barbecues is a propellant, and one aspect of propellant is that it is also highly flammable.
The flammable nature of BBQ gas is why it makes such a great tool for outdoor cooking, but owners of BBQs should also keep this quality in mind when they store their bottles. Keep your bottles in a place where they aren’t going to be in contact with a source of heat or ignition.
Store Gas Bottles in an Upright Position
Handling gas bottles with care is essential. You should ensure to always store them in an upright position. One reason for this is the positioning of the pressure relief valve which is there as a safety measure to let a little of the gas out if the pressure inside the bottle reaches a dangerous level. If the bottle is not kept in an upright position, this can affect the way this valve works.
When storing BBQ and patio gas, it is essential that you do so in a safe and responsible way. As bottled gas suppliers, we want to make sure that you stay safe when you are handling gas, whether it is for a barbecue, filling balloons with helium or to keep the beer flowing!
You can find out more about how to handle and store gas safely on our safety and storage page, and make sure to carry on checking our blog for more updates about our products and how to use them safely.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about any of our products, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team who will be more than happy to help.
Pipe Welding FAQ
If you’ve ever wondered how to weld a pipe, this is your ultimate guide and FAQ. Here you can find tips for exhaust pipes, pipeline, and what butt fusion welding really means.
How to: Exhaust Welding
As with any welding, it is paramount that you clean the workpieces before you begin. Neglecting to clean your workpieces can interfere with the quality of the weld, which means that you are risking your weld’s integrity from the beginning.
First, you will need to cut the exhaust pipe where you will be welding it. If you are welding your exhaust pipe because your vehicle has suffered issues with rust, you should grind away the corrosion as part of the cleaning process. Any remaining rust that is present at the end of your weld could spread to the new metal and cause you to have to repeat the job.
You should also grind down the edges where you have cut away the pipe to remove any imperfections.
It is also important that you thoroughly understand the metals that you are working with before you begin, as this will determine the type of welding rod you should be using, as well as temperature. Different welds require different shielding gases, too. We provide MIG welding gas and TIG welding gas for hobbyists and businesses.
You’ll need to clamp the tubing together because you’ll need both hands free for welding. Take care when you clamp them together because there’s no going back once you start welding.
Do some spot welds around the seam that you’re going to be welding. These spot welds will further help to keep the piping together during the weld. Without the spot welds, the pipe may warp under the intense heat of your welding torch, so this is a good precaution to take.
Finally, complete your weld. Take care not to leave any gaps as this could lead to leaks in the exhaust.
How to: Pipeline Welding
Pipeline welding is incredibly important – failure to properly weld the pipe could result in leaks and depending on what is leaking, there could be serious effects on the surrounding habitat.
Mistakes happen to everyone, but there are some common mistakes made by welders everywhere that can be avoided. One of the most common and easily fixable mistakes is the lack of care taken to prep the workpieces. The pipe edges must be clean, smooth and uniform before the welding begins. Without proper preparation, the weld may defect.
Cutting away any issues and grinding down the surface is a very important first step to take in pipeline welding. Next is the cleaning of the pipe to remove any and all contaminants which could interfere with the shielding gases, create hydrogen or cause spatter.
Care must also be taken to align the parts of the pipe. Rushing the process can cause defects later on, so it is very important to take your time and concentrate on the set-up, almost as much as the welding itself.
If you or a fellow welder is experiencing frequent porosity in their welds, don’t let the equipment become the scapegoat for these mistakes. Routine equipment checks should be carried out to ensure that every weld has the possibility of being your best weld yet.
How to: Butt Fusion Welding
Butt welding, fusion, or heat welding are all names given to the process that joins two pieces of thermoplastic. Unlike metal welding, no torches or gases are required. Similar to welding an exhaust pipe, a straight cut across the joint and the cleanliness of the surfaces being welded together are extremely important for ensuring a secure weld. Generally, machines are used to achieve heat fusion, so there is very little input from workers. You can watch the entire process in the video below:
‘Pipe welding’ means different things to different workers. Welding an exhaust pipe is far different to journeying miles to weld an underground pipeline in urgent need of repair, but these have more in common with each other than they do with HDPE plastic pipe fusion.
If your pipe welding requires shielding gas, we can supply you with it. Contact us for more information regarding our industrial welding supplies and gas.