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  - Metal Fabrication
    - Laser Welding

Metal Fabrication

Laser Welding

Air Products offers a full range of pure gases for laser welding of all material types.

A range of pure elemental gases and gas mixtures can be used for laser welding. However, the best and most commonly used gases are the elemental inert gases helium (He) and argon (Ar).

Helium has unique properties which make it the preferred shielding gas for high speed, high power laser welding. Helium has:

High thermal conductivity, producing welds with an excellent aspect ratio
High ionization potential, producing excellent plasma suppression and high weld speeds

All shielding gases are available in a range of convenient and cost effective gas supply options including cylinder packs and bulk for high throughput or multiple laser installations.

Gases are an essential part of any laser system, whether it is for cutting or welding, CO₂ or YAG, a reliable, high purity gas supply is the key to getting maximum performance from your investment in laser technology.

A full range of resonator, assist and shielding gases is available in a variety of cylinders, cylinder packs and cryogenic liquid vessel sizes to meet all your supply needs.

Air Products’ high purity resonator gases for CO₂ lasers, high quality gas control equipment and special resonator gas installations ensure consistent power delivery and extended resonator life.

Air Products' shielding gases are commonly used in several welding processes, mostly MIG/MAG and TIG welding. The selection of a suitable welding gas is essential for the welding process. The welding gas not only protects the weld metal from the surrounding air. It can also contribute to a higher productivity and to better mechanical properties of the weld. But the welding gas has other roles too.

It protects the focusing optics against fumes and spatter and, in the case of CO₂ lasers, it controls plasma formation. What welding gas to use depends on the type of laser, the laser power, nozzle arrangement, the material to be welded, workpiece thickness, mechanical requirements on the weld, and costs. The emphasis is on welding gases for CO₂ laser welding because CO₂ lasers are still the predominant type of laser in the manufacturing industry, at least in the higher power ranges. In addition, the selection of the welding gas is of critical importance for CO₂ laser welding whereas it is less demanding for Nd:YAG laser welding.

Other Applications

Contact Information

Air Products India
Industrial Gases & Equipment
Prodair Air Products India Pvt Ltd.
602, Pentagon 5, Magarpatta City,
Hadaspar, Pune - 411013
Maharashtra, India

Product Name	Description/Benefits	Downloads
Gases
Resonator Gases Carbon Dioxide	The laser resonator gases for CO₂ lasers usually consist of a mixture of helium, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the gas which is active in generating the laser light itself, i.e. infrared radiation. The radiation is created by transitions between different vibrational energy levels in the carbon dioxide molecule. In this way it would be possible to run a CO₂ laser using only carbon dioxide as the laser gas. However, in order to reach the very high laser powers which are necessary for laser cutting and welding it is necessary to add nitrogen and helium to the laser gas.	MSDS
The laser resonator gases for CO₂ lasers usually consist of a mixture of helium, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the gas which is active in generating the laser light itself, i.e. infrared radiation. The radiation is created by transitions between different vibrational energy levels in the carbon dioxide molecule. In this way it would be possible to run a CO₂ laser using only carbon dioxide as the laser gas. However, in order to reach the very high laser powers which are necessary for laser cutting and welding it is necessary to add nitrogen and helium to the laser gas.
Shielding Gases Argon	Argon is part of a range of pure elemental gases and gas mixtures can be used for laser welding. Argon is suitable for laser powers up to 3 kW. However, the plasma suppression properties of argon can be improved by admixing helium, oxygen or carbon dioxide. The most commonly used gases are argon and helium.	Argon - MSDS
Argon is part of a range of pure elemental gases and gas mixtures can be used for laser welding. Argon is suitable for laser powers up to 3 kW. However, the plasma suppression properties of argon can be improved by admixing helium, oxygen or carbon dioxide. The most commonly used gases are argon and helium.
Shielding Gases Carbon Dioxide	Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are reactive gases which can form oxides, carbides or nitrides with the weld metal. The mechanical properties of the welds may therefore be impaired and for some applications this disqualifies the use of carbon dioxide and nitrogen as welding gases. However, in some cases, reactive welding gases can be tolerated or even be advantageous. For some stainless steels, for example, nitrogen gives a better corrosion resistance and microstructure of the welds.	MSDS
Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are reactive gases which can form oxides, carbides or nitrides with the weld metal. The mechanical properties of the welds may therefore be impaired and for some applications this disqualifies the use of carbon dioxide and nitrogen as welding gases. However, in some cases, reactive welding gases can be tolerated or even be advantageous. For some stainless steels, for example, nitrogen gives a better corrosion resistance and microstructure of the welds.

Audit Services/Leak Detection	Our application engineers can work with your plant personnel to analyze and understand your entire process. Based on that analysis and your needs, they can recommend process improvement solutions that can help you enhance product quality and consistency, plus optimize gas use. Air Products services include leak-checking, furnace profiling, analytical calibration, gas analysis process troubleshooting and overall process review.	Data Sheet Article
Our application engineers can work with your plant personnel to analyze and understand your entire process. Based on that analysis and your needs, they can recommend process improvement solutions that can help you enhance product quality and consistency, plus optimize gas use. Air Products services include leak-checking, furnace profiling, analytical calibration, gas analysis process troubleshooting and overall process review.