Jargon Busting Welding Terminology for Beginners
Welding is an incredibly gratifying hobby, but if you’re just starting out then you might have some questions regarding the vocabulary used in welding communities, both hobbyist and professional. We’ve got you covered for arc welding supplies, which you can find in our online store, but you’ll need this blog to best understand all the terminology!
- Cleaning Chemicals
- Fume Extraction
- Flux
- Gas Regulator
- Laser Welding
- Liquidus
- Metal Grinding
- Melting Range
- MIG Welding
- Power Source
- Tempering
- TIG Welding
- Plasma Cutters
- Shielding Gas
- Torch Cleaner
- Welding
- Welding Gloves
- Welding Helmet
- Welding Pool
- Welding Rods
- Welding Seam
- Welding Spatter
- Welding Torch
- Welding Zone
- Wire Feeder
- Workpiece
Cleaning Chemicals
These are for cleaning your workpieces and welding torches.
Fume Extraction
Some materials or welding processes create dangerous fumes. An extraction machine keeps the welder safe by pulling the fumes away.
Flux
Helps to clean the metals of the workpiece.
Gas Regulator
These control the flow of gas through the welding torch.
Laser Welding
A type of welding that uses lasers instead of electric arcs and electrodes. This method results in narrow, deep welds.
Liquidus
The lowest point at which a metal becomes liquid.
Metal Grinding
A metal grinder may be an important tool if you’re working with rusty metal. It is important to ensure that your workpieces are clean and shiny before you weld, so a grinder may be used to remove areas of rust before you begin.
Melting Range
The temperatures between solid and liquid metal.
MIG Welding
Sometimes referred to as GMAW – Gas Metal Arc Welding – where an electric arc between the electrode and the workpiece is used to melt the welding rod and fix metal pieces together. In this type of welding, the welding rod is also the electrode, and is consumed into the welding pool during the weld. This means that the welding rods need to be replaced between welds. MIG welding requires specific types of gas and supplies.
Power Source
Welding power sources give electricity to the welding gun so that the electric arc can be created. The power source should allow the user to control the voltage, as this will need to be adjusted depending on the workpiece substance.
Tempering
When steel is reheated in order to make it stronger.
TIG Welding
Tungsten Inert Gas welding functions similarly to MIG welding, however, the electrode is made from tungsten and is therefore non-consumable. This means that the welder feeds separate rods into the electric arc/welding zone to create the seam between two workpieces. TIG welding may also be referred to as GTAW – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. TIG welding requires specific types of gas and supplies.
Plasma Cutters
Equipment that cuts through electrically conductive material using hot plasma to melt space between metal sections. These are used in both industrial applications and hobbyist projects.
Shielding Gas
It is important to regulate the immediate atmosphere of your welding zone; a shielding gas is delivered from the end of the welding torch to control the welding process. Shielding gases for welding are often a mixture of pure gases.
Torch Cleaner
Used to maintain the torch. A dirty or poorly maintained torch may encourage welding spatter.
Welding
The act of welding.
Welding Gloves
A protective garment to keep your hands safe from sparks and heat.
Welding Helmet
A helmet that protects your face, especially your eyes, from sparks and heat coming from the welding torch. The mask my also filter out dangerous fumes that occur during some welding processes. Some prefer to refer to this piece of equipment as a welding mask.
Welding Pool
This is the pool of metal that forms at the base of the welding torch. It is the result of melting the wire and is what will hold your workpiece together.
Welding Rods
The metal that is melted to weld a workpiece together.
Welding Seam
This is the hardened filler metal between two workpieces after you have finished, sometimes called a welding bead instead of a seam. During the weld, when the metal is still fluid, it is referred to as the ‘weld pool’. A good bead is smooth, and a bad bead is lumpy.
Welding Spatter
Spatter means that there are probably air pockets in your weld, which suggests that the integrity of your weld could be compromised.
Welding Torch
Part of an automatic welding system. The torch delivers the arc and the shielding gas. The shape of the torch often dictates the type of weld; a torch with a bend is usually used for arc welding. You may find that some people refer to the torch as a welding gun, too.
Welding Zone
This is the area where the welding occurs, at the end of the torch.
Wire Feeder
Automatic welding guns feed the metal wire into the welding zone, so that you don’t have to feed it manually. This has both advantages and disadvantages.
Workpiece
A piece of metal which you are going to weld.
Welding is such an exciting skill to have and there is so much more to learn about how to achieve the best weld for different materials. We will keep you updated with the latest welding tricks and tips in our blog, so stay posted.
Welding Terminology
Jargon Busting Welding Terminology for Beginners
Welding is an incredibly gratifying hobby, but if you’re just starting out then you might have some questions regarding the vocabulary used in welding communities, both hobbyist and professional. We’ve got you covered for arc welding supplies, which you can find in our online store, but you’ll need this blog to best understand all the terminology!
- Cleaning Chemicals
- Fume Extraction
- Flux
- Gas Regulator
- Laser Welding
- Liquidus
- Metal Grinding
- Melting Range
- MIG Welding
- Power Source
- Tempering
- TIG Welding
- Plasma Cutters
- Shielding Gas
- Torch Cleaner
- Welding
- Welding Gloves
- Welding Helmet
- Welding Pool
- Welding Rods
- Welding Seam
- Welding Spatter
- Welding Torch
- Welding Zone
- Wire Feeder
- Workpiece
Cleaning Chemicals
These are for cleaning your workpieces and welding torches.
Fume Extraction
Some materials or welding processes create dangerous fumes. An extraction machine keeps the welder safe by pulling the fumes away.
Flux
Helps to clean the metals of the workpiece.
Gas Regulator
These control the flow of gas through the welding torch.
Laser Welding
A type of welding that uses lasers instead of electric arcs and electrodes. This method results in narrow, deep welds.
Liquidus
The lowest point at which a metal becomes liquid.
Metal Grinding
A metal grinder may be an important tool if you’re working with rusty metal. It is important to ensure that your workpieces are clean and shiny before you weld, so a grinder may be used to remove areas of rust before you begin.
Melting Range
The temperatures between solid and liquid metal.
MIG Welding
Sometimes referred to as GMAW – Gas Metal Arc Welding – where an electric arc between the electrode and the workpiece is used to melt the welding rod and fix metal pieces together. In this type of welding, the welding rod is also the electrode, and is consumed into the welding pool during the weld. This means that the welding rods need to be replaced between welds. MIG welding requires specific types of gas and supplies.
Power Source
Welding power sources give electricity to the welding gun so that the electric arc can be created. The power source should allow the user to control the voltage, as this will need to be adjusted depending on the workpiece substance.
Tempering
When steel is reheated in order to make it stronger.
TIG Welding
Tungsten Inert Gas welding functions similarly to MIG welding, however, the electrode is made from tungsten and is therefore non-consumable. This means that the welder feeds separate rods into the electric arc/welding zone to create the seam between two workpieces. TIG welding may also be referred to as GTAW – Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. TIG welding requires specific types of gas and supplies.
Plasma Cutters
Equipment that cuts through electrically conductive material using hot plasma to melt space between metal sections. These are used in both industrial applications and hobbyist projects.
Shielding Gas
It is important to regulate the immediate atmosphere of your welding zone; a shielding gas is delivered from the end of the welding torch to control the welding process. Shielding gases for welding are often a mixture of pure gases.
Torch Cleaner
Used to maintain the torch. A dirty or poorly maintained torch may encourage welding spatter.
Welding
The act of welding.
Welding Gloves
A protective garment to keep your hands safe from sparks and heat.
Welding Helmet
A helmet that protects your face, especially your eyes, from sparks and heat coming from the welding torch. The mask my also filter out dangerous fumes that occur during some welding processes. Some prefer to refer to this piece of equipment as a welding mask.
Welding Pool
This is the pool of metal that forms at the base of the welding torch. It is the result of melting the wire and is what will hold your workpiece together.
Welding Rods
The metal that is melted to weld a workpiece together.
Welding Seam
This is the hardened filler metal between two workpieces after you have finished, sometimes called a welding bead instead of a seam. During the weld, when the metal is still fluid, it is referred to as the ‘weld pool’. A good bead is smooth, and a bad bead is lumpy.
Welding Spatter
Spatter means that there are probably air pockets in your weld, which suggests that the integrity of your weld could be compromised.
Welding Torch
Part of an automatic welding system. The torch delivers the arc and the shielding gas. The shape of the torch often dictates the type of weld; a torch with a bend is usually used for arc welding. You may find that some people refer to the torch as a welding gun, too.
Welding Zone
This is the area where the welding occurs, at the end of the torch.
Wire Feeder
Automatic welding guns feed the metal wire into the welding zone, so that you don’t have to feed it manually. This has both advantages and disadvantages.
Workpiece
A piece of metal which you are going to weld.
Welding is such an exciting skill to have and there is so much more to learn about how to achieve the best weld for different materials. We will keep you updated with the latest welding tricks and tips in our blog, so stay posted.
Car Chassis Welding Tips
Welding a car is the ultimate welding experience. The ability to modify or create a working product with style, skill, and efficiency has provided many welders – hobbyists and professionals alike – with a great sense of achievement. If you’re looking to start your own car welding project, then you should read our tips in order to excel in your welding.
Welding Tips for Beginners
The most important tips for beginning welders are always all about exercising safety and caution, and with good reason – welding accidents can have very nasty consequences. If you are starting out as a welder, then you may not want to choose something as complicated or important as a car for your first weld. You should definitely try some practice runs on some basic workpieces first so that you can be sure that when you are finally ready to weld a chassis, your work will hold securely.
If you’re a beginner reading this, we recommend that you start by reading our blog, Stay Safe When You Weld, to ensure that you begin with your best foot forward. There are also a few myths about welding that you should get debunked before you start welding a car chassis, which you can also read about here: Top 4 Welding Myths Busted.
Chassis Welding Tips
When welding a car chassis that you are planning on driving at some point, you need to exercise extreme caution and skill. In the majority of cases, you should call an expert to do it for you if your chassis is in need of repair. At the very least, you should get your car tested and checked by a certified expert before you take your product on the road. Failing to do this could result in breaking safety laws.
Once you understand how important it is to be careful about welding a vehicle, your next mission will be to choose your materials and equipment. To do this, you need to understand what material your car chassis is made from.
Typically, a car chassis will be constructed from carbon steel, but more expensive models may be made with aluminium alloys to achieve a lighter build. Lighter builds consume less fuel on the roads, but aluminium alloys are also more expensive to create, hence many chassis are carbon steel instead. For those who are eco-conscious, you may benefit from knowing that steels are far easier to recycle than aluminium, which you may want to consider before you begin your project.
As you may already know, you cannot weld dissimilar metals, so it is vital for any project that you understand which metals you are working with in the first place. You also need to know how to remove any rust currently existing on the chassis as rust can damage the integrity of your weld, which is dangerous on the road.
For chassis welding, you should be confident in your ability to seam weld. If you’re worried about sections moving around while you weld, despite clamping or tacking, then you can always pre-heat the area that you will be welding with your torch to ensure a consistent environment for your weld. If the chassis is still attached to the vehicle during your weld, keep the doors of your vehicle shut to keep the chassis as straight as possible.
Chassis Welding Supplies
First and foremost, you will need either TIG welding supplies or MIG welding supplies, depending on your set-up, but you will also need to consider a metal grinder to cut away any rust, clamps to keep your weld in place, and materials to craft a pattern for your part from (such as cardboard).
When welding such an important piece, you want to be sure you do it right. We recommend that you use our quality gas welding supplies to help you attain those top-quality welds that you’re looking for. We’re experienced in selling gas supplies, so trust us to help guide you in the right direction. We have plenty more advice to offer on our blog, or you can contact us if you have a more specific question regarding any of our products.
Ways to Stay Safe with Gases in a Commercial Setting
When it comes to commercial vocations, there are a lot of things to think about to ensure the safety of you, your colleagues, and the clients that you interact with. If you work with bottled gas in a commercial setting, safety precautions should be at the top of your priorities.
This blog should serve as an accompaniment to official guidelines regarding safe practices issued by your company and the gas distributors you buy with, not as a replacement. Use this article to help remind you of your responsibilities regarding gas safety in a working environment.
If You Are a Food Vendor…
As a food vendor, you are undoubtedly operating in very public places where negligence with gas safety has the potential to be catastrophic. Many food vendors work with flammable gases, such as camping gas or butane. It is your responsibility to your customers and the public to ensure that your portable gas bottles are kept in a safe and secure place.
You need to protect your gas supply from the stove that you will be working on, especially when working in a confined space. Make sure that the connection between the gas tap and the pipe that connects to the stove is secure, as you don’t want any gas to leak from the bottle.
If You Use Heating…
It is unlikely that your office is using a portable gas heater to keep the staff warm in the winter, but it is possible, especially in the event that the main heating supply fails. Whenever you are using gas heating in a confined space, your bottles need to be stored with care, away from any volatile stimuli.
If you are in an office setting where gas bottles are frequently relied on for energy, you must remember to never keep the bottles in the basement or the lowest level of your offices. A gas leak in an open space is relatively harmless, as the gas will quickly dissipate, but in a confined space such as a basement the gas may have no means escape. This could lead to an explosion if the leaked gas catches a spark, or the gas could poison your staff.
If You Work in a Shop…
One of the most important parts of any shop is the gas and electric – these play a key part on customer and colleague satisfaction, especially in the colder months. As such, it is important to protect these assets at all costs.
If your gas and electric units are in a separate room from the shop, it’s essential that you waterproof the space. Failing to waterproof your energy supply leaves you at risk of losing sales during periods of torrential rain because your energy units have flooded. To be sure that your business is safe, we also recommend making regular checks to your energy supplies to prevent disastrous gas leaks or power outages.
If You Work in Welding…
Professional welders require an adequate supply of TIG welding gas or MIG welding gas to carry out their work, but the same as any other employer welders need to diligently exercise gas safety precautions if they want to maintain their business without unnecessary risk.
You need to avoid storing your bottles underground, keep them away from intense heat sources and keep them separate from your tools – or anything that could spark an explosion in the event of a leak. If you need a more detailed explanation of gas safety in the welding world, you can read our blog: Stay Safe When You Weld.
If You Work in a University…
Many universities require a supply of gas bottles for their science and tech departments, so it is important that universities are also aware of contemporary gas safety requirements. Failing to do so could put staff and students at risk.
In one Australian university, a rotting durian fruit led to a full evacuation of students and staff who suspected a gas leak. Firefighters later tracked the smell down to the rotten fruit, but the safety precautions taken by the university are commendable – gas should always be taken very seriously.
In a commercial setting, keeping safe is as much of a priority as keeping your customers and clients happy. At Adams Gas, we ensure that all our products are tested rigorously to ensure that they are as safe as possible. If you would like to know more about any of our products or delivery services, contact us today.
Upskilling and Skills Gaps in Welding
In a 2019 study of skills shortages and demands by region, it was found that there is an excess of welders in Scotland, but a shortage in England and Wales. Here, we’re looking at the stats across the Kingdom and what we can do as both a community and industry to improve and grow.
Welding Can Be Lucrative
In the UK, work in welding can be quite lucrative with annual salaries starting around £22k, averaging around £25k, and rocketing up to over £30k for the best of the best. This makes welding quite a profitable career path, but there are gaps in the market across the UK, which could eventually be filled by promising teenagers considering vocational careers. We need to consider why welding isn’t seen as an attractive career prospect by the younger generations – despite the high wages – and how we can encourage today’s youth to take up the torch.
The Welding Skills Shortage
There are job vacancies and restrictions across all sectors in our Kingdom, with London and the North West reporting the highest percentage of vacancies, but Northern Ireland and Scotland falling fairly below average., as shown in this infographic study.
When it comes to welding vacancies specifically, the stats remain largely the same with the North West experiencing a severe lack of welding professionals, meaning that there are more opportunities for welders looking for work in the North West than anywhere else in the UK.
In contrast to the North West, welders in Scotland face much higher competition with vacancies falling 40% below the national average. Welders in London will also struggle, with vacancies here also falling under 20% below average.
This means that welders may need to move to a more profitable region if they want to find better work. Top areas for welding in 2019 include the North West, Wales, and the West Midlands – all areas with over 80% national average vacancies, and areas that could benefit from improving vocational routes for young people in education.
Teaching Students Vocational Pathways
In the UK, many children feel that there is a stigma against vocational learning and that they should aim for university and academic pursuits, however, this isn’t always the best path for individuals – or the local area – as more skills shortages appear in certain sectors.
In America, a school in the Arizona desert demonstrates how capturing students’ passions for welding can overcome many barriers. Despite the desert location, this school specialises in thoroughly training students with the skills they need to weld underwater. This is achieved from the middle of the desert by utilising deep tanks with gallons of water – but none of this would be possible without the dedication of its students and teachers.
The success of this school is at least partially dependent on the opinion of its students and teachers on the importance of welding as a career choice – specifically underwater. Without being taught that this career is fulfilling and worthy from a young age, this school might struggle to gain interest from prospective pupils – an issue that manufacturing in the UK currently faces, along with many other practical skills-based careers.
One of the greatest draws for this career is the astronomical wages, reaching between $50,000 and $120,000 for first jobs, offering students a very promising future in exchange for the years they spend in training and hard, dangerous work.
In the UK, we need to inspire our young to pursue careers in STEM, as well as teaching them practical skills in lessons and clubs. The youth today may achieve some experience of welding in science, or design and technology, or even very rarely in an art class. They are more likely to learn about welding from dedicated BTECs, but many in the career would argue that this is too late to try to inspire a love of welding in the individual.
We are welding gas suppliers for many businesses and hobbyists, but we could also supply for schools, colleges and youth groups looking to provide the youth of Britain with applicable skills. With so many vacancies around the country, perhaps there is room in education for more people to learn about the power of welding.
How Much Gas Would You Use to Travel the World in a Hot Air Balloon?
Have you ever wondered how much gas you would need to accomplish your greatest dreams? (more…)
Different Types of Welding Rods
Welding is a multi-faceted career; there are a lot of things to remember and experiment with on the path to finding your favourite welding technique. (more…)
Welding in TV and Cinema
There are so many serious papers and blogs out there about welding tips and tricks to help you improve your skills and outwit the competition, but sometimes you need a few moments to embrace what you really love about welding in your downtime. In this article, we look at the representation of welding across TV and cinema to see how this occupation is perceived by the general public. (more…)
Stay Safe When You Weld
It is important to exercise safe practices in all aspects of life, but there are few activities where safety is more important than in welding. One Scottish welder recently lost his livelihood after a fire swept through his workshop in June 2019, destroying over £40,000 in tools. Ensuring that you take the time to properly prepare before beginning any welding job can help to guarantee the safety of you and those around you is absolutely vital.
In this article, we explain why your cautionary procedures should start before you pick up the welding gun, and beyond the finished weld.
Safe Fuel and Gas Storage
Once you’ve put down the gun and finished your latest project, the next item on your agenda is to clean and put away your tools. While doing this, you should ask yourself how you are currently storing your equipment.
Firstly, your tools should be kept in an organised and sensible fashion. You should do this so that you can quickly know which tools are being used by co-workers at any point, or, in the event of a theft, be able to manage your inventory and recount any losses quickly. Some organisation will also accelerate your projects to stop you from wasting time searching for misplaced items.
Next, consider where you keep the fuel for your equipment. Welding supplies use a lot of gas, which is combustible and therefore a threat to your workshop if improperly stored. If you haven’t yet read up on our Safety & Storage documents for the relevant gases that you are purchasing and using in your workplace, then you should check the protocol against your workshop and ensure that no changes need to be made for your safety.
Whilst you should thoroughly check the safety documents, there are some quick tips that you can check for now in your workshop
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Ensure that wherever the gas is kept, it is in a well-ventilated space.
This is to ensure that if there is a leak, your MIG welding gas won’t stick around in your storage room and risk an explosion. If you work from a storage container, it is especially important that it is ventilated as a gas explosion within one of these structures can cause a lot of damage to the surroundings if either of the doors or roof is blown off.
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Don’t store your gas bottles underground.
In some cases, gas can be heavier than air. This is true for Propane and Butane, so you should never store them in your basement, even if you think it is well ventilated. A high collection of leaked propane or butane in your basement could lead to suffocation.
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Keep gas away from heat.
Gas expands when it is heated up, and many of the gases we sell are highly combustible; meaning that they could cause an explosion if heated too much. As well as keeping the gas in a ventilated space you should also make sure that it stays cool, this means keeping your gas supply away from your workshop.
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Keep your fuel separate from your tools.
It might be easier to refuel your tools if the gas is right next to them, but anything that could trigger a spark should be kept well away from your flammable fuels.
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Keep your expensive equipment under lock and key.
Make it difficult for any would-be thieves to access your equipment by adding extra security features to your workspace. Consider CCTV if you can afford it, or threaten CCTV with signs if not. Floodlights can also discourage thieves from attempting to steal your gear, as they will not want to risk being caught in the act.
Welding is a highly valuable skill, but the difference between a good welder and a great one is someone can be down to how cautiously they take care of their hardware and co-workers. Don’t risk your safety; read up on our safety documents now for a better workshop.
MIG, TIG and Laser Welding
You might be a pro at MIG and TIG welding, but have you ever wondered about laser welding and how it can benefit your welds? (more…)
Planning the Ultimate BBQ
Summer officially begins on the 21st June in 2019, but whichever year you’re reading this in, we know that you can’t wait to roll out your calor gas bottles and start up the barbecue for a good party. In this blog, we show you how to upgrade your BBQ party from great to amazing, it just takes a little planning and preparation.
Guest List
If you want to avoid overstuffing your garden with people then a guest list is a must-have. More people will also mean needing to buy more food, so if this is your first-time hosting keep your party small to ensure a roaring success. You don’t want your party planning to feel too much like work, but once you succeed with a smaller audience, you will have the confidence and knowledge to approach hosting a bigger party with gusto and skill.
A Floor Plan
Know where all the important items are going to sit in your garden and place them with maximum efficiency to ensure smooth transitions. For example, keep your barbecue grill near an entrance to your house so you can nip inside if needed, but be sure not to block any entrances or footpaths – you don’t want to be bumping elbows with guests when you’re trying to cook!
You will also need lots of chairs or picnic rugs – ask your guests to bring their own foldable seats if you don’t have enough. Optional extras to consider include the placement of cooler boxes for icy beverages or keeping the meat cool. Place a small coffee table next to the BBQ to hold items like paper plates and cutlery for your guests too.
Decoration
Setting the scene for your BBQ means more than just planning the functionality of everything. Getting your guests in the right mood will kickstart your BBQ party with a bang, so string up some fairy lights along the fence or in the shrubbery. Bring out a CD player or radio and start some tunes – not too loudly though, you don’t want to anger the neighbours or drown out the conversation between your guests!
Food
For an amazing BBQ, you want a range of food but beware, the more dishes you plan to create the more ingredients you’ll need and time you will spend preparing. When planning your menu, consider who you are inviting, their diets, and what kinds of food are best for the BBQ setting.
If you have children present at your party, then some tame dishes without any spice of strange flavours will be a safe bet. If in doubt, buy in some pizzas for the kids and focus instead on preparing some grand BBQ dishes for the parents – the kids will be perfectly happy with their pizza.
Be mindful if you have vegetarians and vegans visiting, perhaps designate one half of your grill to non-meat foods so that they don’t have to worry about animal grease mixing with their dishes – be wary if your BBQ is placed on a slope as the meat juices could run onto your vegetarians’ dinner.
When planning your meat dishes, think hard about what kind of sauces and glazes you want to season with, we’re thinking strong BBQ sauces, sweet honey mustard glazes and creamy satay dip.
Drinks and Sides
The meat or Quorn might be the main event, but you’re planning the Ultimate BBQ so you need to nail the drinks and sides too. Meat and grilled vegetables can be quite flavourful, so you need drinks that work in harmony with the event and the food. If you are worried about supplying the right kind of alcohol, ask your guests to bring some to add to your own collection – don’t worry about intimidating them, most of the time people love to get involved in the process and help out a little.
Homemade lemonade or similar fruity drinks can also prove very refreshing on a hot day with intensely flavoured meals, and for similar reasons fruit salads will also go down very well between burgers. Think watermelon and mint with a sprinkling of salt to really bring out the juices hidden within.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some extra tips and tricks to ensure your day goes off without a hitch:
Non-stick Grill: Rub half an onion over the grate to stop your meat from sticking.
Bug Repellent: Have some bands ready for kids and burn essential oils where there are lots of people – like on tables and near food.
Freeze-pops: Cheaper than ice cream and far more refreshing, crushing these up into drinks can create some interesting combinations, and the kids will love them too.
Temperature: If you’re starting early, consider a paddling pool for guests to dip their feet in. If your BBQ is an evening occasion, have some outdoor blankets ready to wrap up in.
All that’s left to hope for now is a spot of good weather, so good luck in preparing your ultimate BBQ because summer is coming.
An Introduction to Industrial Gas
We’re sure that you are an expert at how gas is used in your industry, but have you ever wondered about how similar businesses are using gas for their own procedures and products? In this article, we look at industrial operations involving the use of gas and why it is so important to modern society.
STEEL WELDING
Welding gas is important for any kind of metal welding and while hobby welders will gleefully discuss the pros and cons of MIG Welding versus TIG welding, the steel welding industry can be quite a lucrative business so it is exceptionally important for steel welding businesses to find a welding gas supplier that they can trust.
Welders use shielding gases to ensure that their welds are clean, slag-free and secure, but to achieve this they need to make sure that the flow of their shielding gas is smooth which you can ensure by choosing the correct TIG or MIG welding nozzles.
SPACE ROCKETS
Bottled gas is an important fuel supply for space travel. Some of the most common gases used to propel us ever further into the universe are currently bottled hydrogen and methane, but the US space shuttle also used liquidised oxygen to produce thrust. Bottled gases can produce a lot of power, so it is always important to be aware of gas safety, whether you’re at home or at work.
Space rockets use gas as a force of propellant. Liquidised gases are currently preferred because they are the most reliable, but the types of gases used during space missions vary depending on the aims and journey. It is important to consider a range of factors including stability, reliability, cost and toxicity of the fuel when planning a space mission.
CRUDE OIL REFINEMENT
The yield from crude oil refinements can be improved by adding hydrogen gas during the conversion phase in a process known as hydrocracking. Once the basic fuel is extracted and separated into different levels of purity, conversion is carried out to reduce the number of heavy hydrocarbon molecules in the product. These molecules need to be broken into smaller parts to meet current demand, and this is carried out by heating the fuel up to 500 degrees and adding hydrogen to convert the heavy molecules into gasoline and diesel fuels.
Conversion can be quite costly, so many businesses in the crude oil sector seek to find the perfect balance between the achieved yield and the cost of this highly skilled operation.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
The chemical industry often uses the dangerous and highly explosive acetylene to achieve results in a process known as chemical synthesis. There are various inorganic substances that we would not have access to without the application of acetylene, but due to the danger associated with this gas the components that it produces need to have high value for the risk to pay off.
Without industrial acetylene gas, we wouldn’t have acetic acid, vitamin A or vitamin E. Like food grade gas, Acetylene purity should be strictly maintained when used in the production of consumables.
LASER CUTTING
Laser cutting can be achieved using either oxygen gas bottles or nitrogen cylinders. In oxygen laser cutting, the liquidised material is removed from the rest of the material through the force of the oxygen pressure being blasted out around the laser beam. The pressure of the oxygen jet needs to be adjusted depending on the thickness of the materials being cut.
The difference between cutting with nitrogen and oxygen is that the oxygen reacts with metals to generate extra heat, which can cause problems in unwanted burning if the pressure isn’t properly adjusted. Nitrogen, on the other hand, won’t react when laser cutting metals, but will, therefore, require a higher-powered laser to make up for the reduced heat.
FOOD PRESERVATION
Food preservation uses nitrogen bottles from industrial gas suppliers to modify the atmosphere within the packaging of the food product. By eliminating any oxygen from the food, microorganisms are going to struggle to create bacteria and mould, meaning that the food we buy can last longer and go further.
There are so many varied but important uses for gas that our society couldn’t live without. Learning more about how other industries use popular gases to succeed in their businesses give us a greater appreciation for the value and flexibility of these amazing compounds.
Impressive Feats of Welding
Welding is a job which requires both skills and high levels of concentration at all times, which can make it seem like quite a stressful career choice for many, but it is also a very popular hobby that can lead to fantastic creations and even better skill sets. (more…)