Welding & Welding Gas
Energas have worked with welding customers for many years. This has enabled us to develop the knowledge and experience to understand what is required by our customers from our industrial welding gas cylinder range.
We continue to strive to develop products that give you the results you want, whether they relate to the finish, strength, metallurgy, dimensional constraints or process characteristics, such as weld speed or process cost.
All of our welding gases are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from small portable cylinders through to high capacity cylinder packs.
View our welding gas selector guide to compare the different types of welding gases we offer and which is suitable for your metal fabrication application.
Solutions for every use
Welding in a nutshell
Arc welding is the most common method. The energy is brought through an electric arc (and currents up to several hundred amperes).
This process requires the use of a gas
- Usually an argon-based mixture
- To protect the liquid bath from ambient air. The devices can be adapted to increase productivity in automatic or robotic welding.
Whether active or inert, welding gas is always indispensable in arc welding processes. It provides localized protection of the weld essential to achieve the mechanical properties of the joints and it allows to optimize the speed and/or the quality of welding, depending on the project. The choice of gas mixture used is therefore far from trivial!
Under the term “gas flow arc welding”, several different types of processes are hidden. Each has its own characteristics… and requires specific welding gases!
Gases adapted to each welding situation
- Arc welding: There are different processes, which all use the same physical principle: the rise in temperature created by an electric arc. Each process has its own strenegths: productivity, quality, flexibility according to needs.
- TIG welding: TIG welding is an arc welding process that uses a non-fusible tungsten electrode (hence the name Tungsten Inert Gas). TIG welding creates an electric arc between the electrode (built into the torch) and the work piece, protected by an inert gas. For example, TIG is used in orbital welding of pipes.
- MIG and MAG welding: MIG stands for Metal Inert Gas and MAG for Metal Active Gas. The two processes differ in that in MIG welding the gas is inert (and thus does not react with the molten metal) while in MAG welding it is active. MIG/MAG welding is a so-called semi-automatic process: the fusion of the metal of the part to be welded is obtained by an electric arc that is created between a welding wire and the parts to be assembled. This fusible electrode welding wire therefore also serves as filler metal. Usually solid wires are used, but flux-colored wires are also available. MIG/MAG welding machines are supplied with a wire feed system to control the wire feed speed during welding.
The electricity for the torch is fed to the wire through a copper contact tube. Recent MIG/MAG welding generators contain electronic systems for controlling the parameters and allow simplified operation. In practice, with a simple trigger on the torch, you can call up programs to adapt to different positions, e.g. flat, vertically up, etc.
Our experience at your service
Thanks to its long experience in the metal fabrication industry, Energas has developed specialised gases and services for different types of applications (welding, cutting, and heating).
Our services, equipment and gases ARCAL™ (TIG, MIG, MAG and Plasma arc welding) and LASAL™ (laser welding-cutting), developed by our experts, meet the most demanding needs of the metal fabrication industry.
Welding: CoWelder Solutions
Energas offer a wide range of welding solutions to suit your operational needs. From manual welding through to full automation Energas has the solution to optimise your welding productivity. As a first step towards automation our CoWelder offer suits many metal fabricators needs for the applications below:
- Repetitive work
- Small series
- Downhand welding
- Fillet & overlap welds
- Welding jigs & fixtures
- Workpieces of limited size & weight
Modes of Supply
Welding Expertise & Support
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Welding Efficiency Analysis Program
WEAP provides you with insight into how your operation is performing and helps you quantify the real costs of any inefficiencies you may have.
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Welding Procedures & Specifications
Energas have a team of welding experts and partners available to support your Welding Procedure and Specification requirements.
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NDT Testing
Non-Destructive Testing allows us to observe and review the weld whilst incurring no damage to the component.
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Centre of Fabrication Excellence
The Centre of Fabrication Excellence is a state-of-the-art Energas facility located at our Coleshill site dedicated to enhancing customer’s welding operations ...
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CoWelder + ARCAL™ Force + RADNOR™ Precision™ Wire
Bringing together a combination of Energas Fabrication Excellence expertise with our CoWelder, ARCAL™ Force and RADNOR™ Precision Wire bundled offer delivers ...
Welding gas selector guide
Helping you choose the right gas for your welding needs.
Select your material, welding type, wire type and material thickness and the tool which highlight our specific welding mixture suitable for your welding application.
Do you have any questions about welding gas or welding equipment?
Please complete our contact form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.Latest news articles
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29/11/2024 11:00 AMIn-Spec Manufacturing Ltd
We supply the ARCAL™ range of gases, giving customers access to a globally recognised high quality range of welding gases delivered with an excellent local ...
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Norlec Sheet Metal Ltd – one of the UK’s premier sheet metal manufacturers – is based in Leyland, Lancashire. Its modern 55,000 square feet factory houses ...
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19/11/2024 03:00 PMEnergas joins as TWI members
Energas, which is part of the Air Liquide Group, have become Industrial Members of TWI. Energas have a strong history and focus on metal fabrication, suppo ...
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13/02/2024 02:00 PMEnergas, your local gas & equipment experts exhibiting at the Mach Show: 15th - 19th April 2024
Energas, your local gas & equipment experts exhibiting at the Mach Show: 15th - 19th April 2024Join us at the MACH Show, the ultimate event for engineering ...
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28/07/2023Energas in education: The new student support scheme boosting regional welding skills
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Types of welding gases
Welding gases are used in various welding processes to protect the weld area from atmospheric contamination, control the temperature, and aid in the formation of a strong , durable weld joint. The choice of welding gas will depend on the welding process and the type of metal being welded e.g. carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium and alloys. You may also need to consider the desired weld characteristics and the equipment available.
There are different categories of gases used in welding. Each category serves specific purposes and has unique properties.
Shielding Gases are primarily used in welding to protect the weld arc from atmospheric contamination. They create a stable environment around the weld pool to prevent oxidation and other undesirable reactions during the welding process.
Shielding gases are used in TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas), MIG (Metal Inert Gas), and MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding processes.
Inert Gases are a subset of shielding gases that do not chemically react with metals or other materials. They create a non-reactive atmosphere to prevent oxidation and contamination during welding.
Inert gases are commonly used in TIG welding to weld non-ferrous metals like aluminium, titanium, and stainless steel.
Speciality Gases are used in specific, often specialised applications that require unique properties. They may not be inert or used for shielding but are essential for specific industrial processes.
Common welding gases
Argon (Ar): Argon is commonly used as an inert shielding gas in TIG welding, particularly for welding non-ferrous metals like aluminium, titanium, and stainless steel.
Helium (He): Helium is often used in combination with other gases for TIG welding, especially for materials that require a hotter and more penetrating arc, such as aluminium and copper.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): CO2 is an active gas and is frequently used in MAG welding, particularly for carbon steel and some low-alloy steel applications.
Oxygen (O2): Oxygen is an active gas and occasionally added to shielding gases for MAG welding processes to improve weld pool fluidity and penetration, mainly when welding carbon steel and mild steel.
Nitrogen (N2): Nitrogen may be added to shielding gases to improve arc stability and reduce porosity when welding stainless steel and other non-ferrous metals.
Acetylene (C2H2): Acetylene is primarily used in oxy-fuel welding and cutting processes, providing a high-temperature flame for cutting and welding metals.
Argon-CO2 Mixtures: Mixtures of Argon and CO2 are commonly used in MAG welding, providing a balance between penetration and reduced spatter, often used in carbon steel.
Argon-Helium Mixtures: These mixtures are used for TIG welding when a hotter arc is needed, typically for thicker materials and high-speed welding.
Related Pages
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Argon
Energas supplies argon and argon mixtures in various volumes and purities. Argon is used as a protective atmosphere for industrial processes such as steel man ...
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Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) serves a variety of key applications across industries. In its solid state (-78°C), carbon dioxide – also known as dry ice – is a cold so ...