Welding Mystery

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I do a lot of flux core welding (all types, all positions, all different combinations of Ar, CO2, and Oxygen).  Exactly what is it that fades my welding jacket?  Please don't say that it is just the arc because with all the different Tig welding I have done, my jacket never faded.  I have heard that it is the Argon, I have also heard that it is the self-shielding wire.  Are there any other hypothesis out there?psIf there are any weird spelling errors, I apologize.  I am covering for a guy on 3rd shift and I haven't slept in a couple of days.
Reply:Do you run your mig and tig at similar amperage?  I generally tig smaller stuff than I mig, and it's at lower amps.  Increasing amps increases UV exposure.  UV rays will fade most dyes.  Argon is inert.  It shouldn't react with anything.  CO2 and Oxygen are not inert.  Combining maybe higher amps with active gasses probably (I say probably, 'cause I am just guessing here) is why your stuff fades in fluxcore/mig and not in tig, at least not as much.  That's my story and I am sticking with it...until someone comes up with a better one.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I used to Tig stuff anywhere from 1/8 - 2" thick both steel and aluminum - which means pretty high amps on the Tig.  That is why I am not entirely sure about the UV rays being responsible for the fading jacket.  It is not that I really care about the jacket, it is just that I am a curious person that likes to know exactly why stuff happens.
Reply:Another idea that just popped into my head...the fumes created by the flux burning might be reactive enough to fade and deteriorate clothing.  I don't know right off hand what the flux is in fluxcore wire, but in many cases, flux is an acid.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Sorry to say but it is the UV rays in the Arc that are sun bleaching your jacket. If you've notice that not the entire jacket is fade, just the areas in direct path of the RAYS. If it was from the fumes or gases the whole jacket and your pants would be faded. The arc with MIG is alot more intense, than with TIG, You'd think they would be the same but, they are very different.Hope this helps.Brett B & B Fabrication and Welding Inc.Spalding, MI.
Reply:I too am guessing, but I doubt the fading is due to anything but the arc flash.When I TIG, my hand(s) are a lot closer to the arc and probably shield the arc light from my torso.   When using MIG my hand(s) are further away from the arc, thus allowing the light travel further.There are no small projects
Reply:In the shipyard, we carbon arced as high as 1800 amps, I've tigged aluminum at 350 amps. I've migged aluminum at 300 amps. The only time I've ever had a jacket fade was with metal-core wire. Leather jackets have dye, leather gloves have dye, maybe it's the UV rays reacting with the dye in the green jacket or the flame-proofing chemicals.WeldtekWeldtek
Reply:My training as awelding instructor tells me that UV - Ultra Voilet light, does the damage to your clothing.If left unprotected your body parts  are subjected to thatsame damage as well.Stick then,mig,then tig are in increasing order of magnitude in the UV light emission stakes.It is to do with the wire or electrode diameter /cross sectional area and the amperage subjected to the electrode or wire. Divide the amps back into that cross sectional area  to get a figure.Tig beats the rest hands down.The bad news for those of us that work in side vessels and especially reflective ones is that we cop a double dose of UV as the damm stuff bounces of the surface behind and burns the crap out of the back of your ears. When on the tools yeras ago ,I had to wipe on a very thick (Anti) UV cream to counter act this problem.The trouble was it does not let you sweat efficienctly and one quickly becomes exhausted in a hot vessel.
Reply:I have to agree with Grahame on his order of UV damage.  I stick welded the other day for about 5 hours and was protected for the most part and received very little sunburn in the unprotected areas.  I switched over later that afternoon to tack weld an assembly with my TIG machine @200 amps and in less than 20 seconds of Tacking I received a serious sunburn on my upper arm.  I didn't throw on a long sleeve shirt since it was going to be a quick tack and I paid the price.  The TIG machine also bleaches out our lawn furniture (which I use in the garage) where the Stick doesn't affect it much.  Really pi##es off the wife now that I ruined nearly all the chairs.Michael
Reply:When I Tig welded Aluminum fuel tanks, the arc not only bleached my shirts , but also rotted the fabric.