Trivia Question.

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Hey everyone.  I just started TIG classes this semester.  It's interesting to say the least.  At first, I couldn't even run a bead 1/4" before the Tungsten would melt away on me.  Switched around the leads (DCEP instead of DCEN), and that solved my issues.  Now, I can run several 3" beads without having to go back to the grinding stone   Haven't started using filler yet.  So here's the question my professor asked us.  It will be a bonous question on the test:What shielding gas is so heavy, that if ingested, you must stand on your head to get it out of your lungs?
Reply:Pretty sure I've heard that "rumor" about argon
Reply:ArgonDensity (0 °C, 101.325 kPa)1.784 g/LNot sure if thats really heavy
Reply:I can only imagine it's argon, Helium is much lighter, CO2 is heavy, but shouldn't be a problem for your body to get out normally, out of the three I think are the most common, Argon is by far the heaviest, but by no means heavy.
Reply:Sulfur hexafluoride is an inorganic compound with the formula SF6. It is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non-flammable gas (at standard conditions). SF6 has an octahedral geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attached to a central sulfur atom. It is a hypervalent molecule. Typical for a nonpolar gas, it is poorly soluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. It is generally transported as a liquified compressed gas. It has a density of 6.13 g/L at sea level conditions.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Radon is the heaviest gas(but radioactive)... Sulfur hexaflouride was used on a jay leno show where he floated a tinfoil bowl on it. http://www.videosift.com/video/Jay-L...-a-Boat-on-Air  And another exaple of the stuff is can be found here: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PJTq2xQiQ0[/ame]Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Originally Posted by 700RHey everyone.  I just started TIG classes this semester.  It's interesting to say the least.  At first, I couldn't even run a bead 1/4" before the Tungsten would melt away on me.  Switched around the leads (DCEP instead of DCEN), and that solved my issues.
Reply:Originally Posted by BrainfarthSulfur hexafluoride is an inorganic compound with the formula SF6. It is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non-flammable gas (at standard conditions). SF6 has an octahedral geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attached to a central sulfur atom. It is a hypervalent molecule. Typical for a nonpolar gas, it is poorly soluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. It is generally transported as a liquified compressed gas. It has a density of 6.13 g/L at sea level conditions.
Reply:For sure you have to be careful with argon.  Where I used to work in the Naval nuke business, some people went down (from the top on a stepladder) into a vertical pressure vessel. (The reactor core barrel.)  There was a leaking argon hose on a TIG torch.  The argon had settled into the bottom of the core barrel.  They had no oxygen and passed out.  It happened before my hire date, so I don't know if anyone died but the company sure learned a lesson and gave us stern warnings about argon and compartments.  The crazy thing is the top was open!!
Reply:Argon would likely be the heaviest shielding gas commonly used. One could be aphyxiated by walking into a pocket of it since it can displace oxygen. With a molecular weight of 38, it's fairly heavy as elements go. For that reason, it's a great shielding gas. If your instructor suggests that you stand on your head to remove argon from your lungs after each session, may I suggest bringing a pillow from home Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:That's great info brainfarth if you are a chemistry major. Otherwise it's just an excellent example of showing off the reading comprehension skills you didn't acquire in those chemistry classes as none of those are commonly used as shielding gases. I would almost bet your answer is argon as it is heavier than air, but excessive levels of CO2 can be dangerous as well. I have gotten lightheaded from Helium when tig welding (my fault though). Any gas that displaces oxygen can be deadly in a confined space.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Thanks for all the info.  I would have been on earlier, but the power was out all day (ice storm).   Originally Posted by ChamferTrodeI'm sure you meant the reverse.
Reply:Originally Posted by Jolly RogerThat's great info brainfarth if you are a chemistry major. Otherwise it's just an excellent example of showing off the reading comprehension skills you didn't acquire in those chemistry classes as none of those are commonly used as shielding gases.
Reply:Originally Posted by 700R No...the ground post was in the positive while the torch lead was in the negative...so we switched them around (Torch: +, Ground: -) and it was night and day.
Reply:Welderguy is as usual correct. I remember the first time I got it backwards. Holy cow, never made that mistake again, lol. What a mess.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:Like I said, the machine could be in DCEN...but the 'polarity box' in the station could have it switched to DCEP.  It's pretty confusing the way they have it set up in there.Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:i heard in the ship building business when the word "argon" was yelled down in the bottom of the ship, you ran for the nearest exit.
Reply:Originally Posted by 700RHey everyone.  I just started TIG classes this semester.  It's interesting to say the least.  At first, I couldn't even run a bead 1/4" before the Tungsten would melt away on me.  Switched around the leads (DCEP instead of DCEN), and that solved my issues.  Now, I can run several 3" beads without having to go back to the grinding stone   Haven't started using filler yet.  So here's the question my professor asked us.  It will be a bonous question on the test:What shielding gas is so heavy, that if ingested, you must stand on your head to get it out of your lungs?
Reply:Originally Posted by 700RHey everyone.  I just started TIG classes this semester.  It's interesting to say the least.  At first, I couldn't even run a bead 1/4" before the Tungsten would melt away on me.  Switched around the leads (DCEP instead of DCEN), and that solved my issues.  Now, I can run several 3" beads without having to go back to the grinding stone   Haven't started using filler yet.  So here's the question my professor asked us.  It will be a bonous question on the test:What shielding gas is so heavy, that if ingested, you must stand on your head to get it out of your lungs?
Reply:Originally Posted by enlpckNone. A few exhale-inhale cycles will turn over nearly 100% of ANY gas, no matter the 'weight', from the lungs of anyone without severe lung damage.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomArgon is heavier than air.Argon when coming in contact with ultraviolet light makes Ozone which is heavier than air also.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomArgon when coming in contact with ultraviolet light makes Ozone which is heavier than air also.
Reply:well seems how argon is heavier than oxygen, if you stood on your head the argon would sink and the oxygen would float to the top of your lungs.? ....Ahhhh... right?
Reply:here is a cool site that list all of them elements.http://www.lenntech.com/periodic-chart.htm
Reply:Xenon - Xesorry for all the post here is another one that BrainFarth was talking about.RadonRadon is colorless at standard temperature and pressure and it is the most dense gas known. At temperature below it's freezing point is has a brilliant yellow phosphorescence. It is chemically unreactive, it is highly radioactive and has a short half life. ApplicationsRadon was sometimes used in hospitals to treat cancer and was produced as needed and delivered in sealed gold needles. Radon is used in hydrologic research, because of it's rapid loss to air. It is also used in geologic research and to track air masses.
Reply:Originally Posted by badassb5.5Radon is colorless at standard temperature and pressure and it is the most dense gas known. .