Mig Argon Helium and Trimix

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Is any gas more user friendly for Stainless and aluminum?\ThanksDon
Reply:MIG on stainless is better with a helium rich trimix shielding gas.  You can get by with 98/2 Ar/CO2.  But helium trimix is the cadillac, weith a price to match...Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:I just bought a full tank, including the tank for $100 off a local CL. Funny, it didn't feel hot when I picked it up. Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:What about aluminum with helium rich trimix shielding gas?
Reply:Helium turns up the heat. You can weld hotter with Helium than with plain argon.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Aluminum is happiest with straight argon, I doubt A-1025(helium based tri mix) would work......but I have been known to be wrong before too
Reply:aluminum is traditionally welded with 100% Argon.  Argon/Helium blends (75/25 or 50/50) are used by some fabricators as it does create a hotter puddle.  This can be an aid(or a crutch?) for when the welding power supply is too small to get the job done.  The jury is out on whether the added cost of using helium when welding aluminum is warranted.Not only is helium more expensive, but requires higher flow rates, which means greater consumption; and this aggravates the cost issue.  I'd be curious to see a real cost/benefit financial analysis from a shop that welds primarily aluminum and made the switch to Ar/He gas.Tri-Mix gas is not good for TIG or MIG welding aluminum.  90/7.5/2.5 He/Ar/CO2 is only for stainless steel MIG.  The CO2 in the tri-mix is not good for tungsten electrodes or for aluminum welding in general.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Somehow I'd believe you over marketing dribble but I got my information from Praxairs data sheet on their Helistar tri-mix. They say one version,  25Ar/75He(don't know what the Co portion of tha is) is made for mig and the opposite mix, 25He/75Ar/Co? Is made for tig.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:I checked out Praxair's helistar webpage here:http://www.praxair.com/gases/gas-mix...g-gas-mixturesThey list many types of Helistar gasesLooks like Helistar A-25, -50, and -75 are 2 gas mixes for GTAW and GMAW of aluminum.  They are also recommended for GTAW on stainless and other non-ferrous metals.  I'm 99% certain these are Ar/He blends with no CO2.Helistar A1025 appears to be a high helium content tri-mix, using He/Ar/CO2.  Praxair recommends this for short circuit transfer GMAW on stainless steel.  I agree; although I think this makes a good spray transfer mix as well.  there's nothing mentioned about using this mix on aluminum.Helistar CS appears to be an Ar/CO2 blend.  They recommend this for carbon, low alloy, and stainless steel.  For carbon and low alloy this mix is for spray and pulsed spray GMAW.  For stainless they suggest it can be used for any GMAW transfer mode.Helistar GV is another tri-mix blend of He/Ar/CO2.  They recommend this for welding through coatings; but say nothing about process.  I'm guessing this is a high argon content blend; for GMAW only.  Again, no mention of using this on aluminum that I noted.The last mix they mention is Helistar SS and they say it's suitable for all GMAW transfer modes on stainless steel.  No mention of using it for aluminum.Robert, to your originial question... The A-75 mix(75/25 He/Ar) is recommended for GTAW(TIG) on carbon, stainless, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals.  it's not recommended for GMAW on these materials.  I agree with this in general.  I have seen this mix and the A-50 mix used for welding inconel with pulsed GMAW; but that's outside the norm.The A1025 mix is specifically mentioned for use with short circuit GMAW on stainless steel.  I see nothing on their page that states this mix is recommended for GTAW on aluminum.I think they way they present the information is confusing; mixing recommendations for GTAW and GMAW together for each gas blend.  I think this is what might be the source of your confusion.Clear as mud now? Originally Posted by Robert HallSomehow I'd believe you over marketing dribble but I got my information from Praxair's data sheet on their Helistar tri-mix. They say one version,  25Ar/75He(don't know what the Co portion of tha is) is made for mig and the opposite mix, 25He/75Ar/Co? Is made for tig.