Helium Argon mix

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I recently tried a 50/50 Helium/Argon mix on anodized aluminum pipe. It works much better than pure Argon and I am able to use less amperage.  I also tried it on regular aluminum pipe with no anodized and it seemed to give a cleaner bead with an almost polished look to it. Less white soot around the edges as well.Is there a reason why I have never really seen anyone using Helium/Argon mix on regular mill finish aluminum? Is it just the cost?Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:I didn't mention it, but this is for TIG.Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:Two reasons I can think of are cost and having to keep an additional gas mix available. A shop that works on a lot of different materials would already have 75/25 (Ar/CO2), CO2, 100% argon, 98/2 (Ar/O2), oxygen, acetylene and whatever else I can't think of off hand.  I'm a hobbyist and in my garage I have oxygen, acetylene, argon, 75/25, and CO2.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Cost,  and availability, typically a helium mix is used on thicker aluminum. So if a shop is welding aluminum everyday. Argon is much cheaper and readily available
Reply:For a few months all I could get was tri mix. No pure helium, no 50/50 or 75/25 helium mixes.So it costs a lot and you might not always be able to get it. Those are pretty good reasons not to use it.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:Ok, so besides the cost and possibly availability problems. It seems like a good choice for me at home.My main reason for asking was because my welder (at home) only goes to 175 amps. A few times this wasn't enough to get the job done on some thicker aluminum. I was thinking of getting a tank of 50/50 Argon and Helium to use on everything. But I am curious on how if effects steal and all it's variations. By the way, should I up my gas flow while using Argon and Helium? For pure Argon, I usually keep it at 15 with a gas lense.Lincoln Square Wave 175 TIGLincoln 110v flux core welder (my 1st)Clarke 180EN MIG
Reply:Yes you should up the cfh a couple of notches to compensate for the lack of density of the helium.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:keep in mind as well that helium is lighter than air, while argon is heavier than air.  So using straight helium or mixes with high helium content will give less effective gas coverage welding flat/horiztonal, but better gas coverage welding overhead.  The reverse is true for argon.Helium is more effective at conducting heat than argon.  Recall that window manufacturers use argon as an insulating material between panes of glass in high effeciency windows.  Helium more effectively conducts more heat from the arc and the tungsten to the weld puddle and surrounding base metal; giving you more bang for your buck.Helium is harder to ionize than argon gas.  I think this is why you're seeing less evidence of cleaning action to either side of the bead.If you're using TIG, there's not much practical effect on welding voltage, since you're controlling this with arc length.  But with GMAW, Helium requires higher voltages to create an arc.  Generally speaking you need a more powerful "industrial" power supply that can supply higher arc voltage if you're going to use Helium for spray transfer GMAW.  Short circuit transfer is generally within reach of most welding power supplies when using helium shielding gas.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:If left sitting for a length of time the gases stratify ( separate into layers). The mixture needs to be agitated.REAL TRUCKS DON'T HAVE SPARK PLUGS
Reply:Separation is 99% due to poor mixing practice when the cylinder is filled.  I have tested bottles 10 years old, with no evidence of stratificationExperience is something you get right after you need it
Reply:Originally Posted by Fred sSeparation is 99% due to poor mixing practice when the cylinder is filled.  I have tested bottles 10 years old, with no evidence of stratification
Reply:Any one here ever seen the trick of making the new kid helper take a mixed gas bottle off the machine, cap it, lay it down on the floor and roll it back and forth before hooking it back up because it needed to be remixed due to it's having stratified from sitting over night?   That ones right up there with the Navy tradition of sending the new guy down to the Engine Room to get a bucket of steam so that you can use it to degrease a part.
Reply:Originally Posted by 4956Any one here ever seen the trick of making the new kid helper take a mixed gas bottle off the machine, cap it, lay it down on the floor and roll it back and forth before hooking it back up because it needed to be remixed due to it's having stratified from sitting over night?   That ones right up there with the Navy tradition of sending the new guy down to the Engine Room to get a bucket of steam so that you can use it to degrease a part.
Reply:Originally Posted by Old Skool10 yrs. ??? Your mixer must defy the law of physics.