Advanced Welding Processes: Technologies and Process Control

Table 5.3 Continued
Argon + 1 to 7% CO 2 +
up to 3% O 2
Argon + 8 to 15% CO 2 +
up to 4% O 2
Argon + 16 to 25% CO 2
Argon + 1 to 8% O 2
Helium + 10 to 20%
argon + CO 2 + O 2
Helium + 30 to 40%
argon + CO 2 + O 2
Gases for advanced welding processes 73
Gas Applications Features
GMAW plain carbon steel
and low alloy steels, spray
and pulse
GMAW plain carbon steel
and low alloy steels, dip
spray and pulse
GMAW plain carbon steel
and low alloy steels, dip,
FCAW
GMAW plain carbon steel
and low alloy steels, dip
spray and pulse
GMAW dip transfer of
austenitic stainless steel.
GMAW, dip, spray and
pulse, stainless and low
alloy steels
Active. Low heat input,
stable transfer, finger
penetration
Active. Good arc stability,
improved fusion and bead
profile
Active. Increased fusion but
reduced stability and
increased spatter
Active. Lower O 2 for spray
and pulse. Reduced carbon
pick-up in stainless steels
Active. Improved fusion and
bead profile
Active. Good fusion. Can be
used with high deposition
GMAW for improved fusion
The gas mixture selected will have a significant effect on the quality and
economics of the resultant weld and the high basic cost of some of these
mixtures must be evaluated against the overall cost of process as discussed
in Chapter 2.