Can I MIG weld with 100% argon?

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Fairly new to welding. I have a Lincoln-Electric WeldPak 140. Been fluxcore welding quite a bit with it and I want to do some MIG. My dad gave me a gas bottle and said it was 90/10 Argon. The bottle itself has a label that simply states Argon. Feels full. Is there a way to determine what exactly is in the bottle?I suppose I could take in the cylinder and have it emptied & refilled 75/25 argon/CO2 but that seems like a waste of money if it is full of argon.
Reply:100% argon to MIG weld aluminum = Yes.100% argon to TIG weld almost anything = Yes100% argon to MIG weld steel = NoRTFM.Also, check out the Lincoln website  or the ESAB website for more info (theory, practical, etc) about welding.www.lincolnelectric.comEspeciallyhttp://www.lincolnelectric.com/asset...l-56/c4200.pdfwww.esabna.comEspeciallyhttp://www.esabna.com/us/en/educatio...university.cfmand http://www.esabna.com/EUWeb/MIG_handbook/592mig1_1.htm  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:100% argon mig is used for aluminum OR sheet metal body work.  Won't really give you the penetration you're looking for, but yes you can do it.Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller Spectrum 250DMiller Millermatic 200Bunch of old blue dinosaurs....
Reply:Yes it can be done, However pure Ar has some physical quirks that result in poor heat transfer from the arc. So it tends to not penetrate so well. It also tends to cause unstable, splattery arc operation with MIG.You'll probably need to increase your voltage 1-2V when welding short-circuit with pure Ar. The best all-purpose gas for short-circuit MIG welding is 75%Ar + 25%CO2. If you're welding really thin stuff sometimes it helps to use Ar +1% O2
Reply:In the pictures I've seen, it doesn't wet out very well with straight Argon.Lincoln 175HD
Reply:He did say that the bottle is supposed to contain 90/10 mix even though the label doesn't say so. If true, he wouldn't be on straight argon. Granted, 75/25 is the best mix, but maybe he should use the 90/10 to practice, then when refilled with the proper mix, he will be a better informed welder when he sees the difference in weld behavior.Just a thought,PapaLincoln Idealarc 250 (circa 1962)Lincoln Weldpak 155 w/Mig KitLincoln Squarewave TIG 175
Reply:co2 is active gas. It reacts with puddle. Argon is inert gas and it doesn't react with puddle. When welding steel and it's alloys (like stainless steel), you always need some co2 and i'ts reaction to get a proper weld. As mentioned before, the best gas mix for low carbon steel is about 75/25, 90/10 is used for spray transfer and  98/2 or similar are used for stainless steel.
Reply:If there is a chance its 90/10 then try it. If it welds then you are good to go. If not trade it to somebody with a tig for their empty bottle. No sense wasting a bottle of gas.Lincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.