GASES IN WELDING

Reporter: Cherilyn V. Malintad

Objective:

At the end of the discussion, the students will be

able to identify the different gases in welding.
What are welding gases?

Are gases produced during welding

processes like shielding gases produced by
the decomposition of fluxes or from the
interaction of ultraviolet light or high
temperatures with gases or vapours in the
air.
 Gases in Welding

Nitrogen Oxygen

Gases

Carbon
Dioxide Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Comes from air drawn into the arc stream.

In GMAW processes, it results from poor

shielding or strong drafts that disrupts the shield.

In SMAW processes, nitrogen can result from

carrying an excessively long arc.
Oxygen
Causes the loss of oxidizable alloys such as
manganese and silicon, which reduces strenght,
produces inclusions in weld metals.

Approximately 2% of oxygen is added

intentionally to stabilized the GMAW process
when welding steels with argon shielding.
Carbon Dioxide
Is an oxygen substitute for stabilizing
GMAW process using argon shields,
although approximately 5% to 8% carbon
dioxide is usually added to produce the
same effects achieved with 2% oxygen.
Hydrogen
It has many sources, including moisture in
electrode, fluxes, very humid air, damp weld
joints, organic lubricants, rust on wire or on joints
surfaces or in weld joints and organic item.

It is the principal cause of porosity in aluminum

welds and with GMAW welds on stainless steels.
Hydrogen-induced cracking requires
three conditions:

1.A high-stress state

2. A martensitic microstructure
3.Critical level of hydrogen
Reference:

Larry Jeffus. Welding Principles and

Applications, Eight Edition.