Can you use argon co2 mix for TIG welding? You got your brand new TIG Welder, and you are ready to get it going.
Now you have several questions running through your head, i.e., whether or not I can use Co2 mix for tig welding. Whether or not my welder will accept Co2 gas? I am here to answer all of these questions.
This article will also help you to get the idea while deciding on the right kind of gas mixture for different TIG welding projects, so do not skip out on reading!
Can you Use Argon Co2 Mix for TIG Welding?
No, it’s not a good idea to use an argon CO2 mix for TIG welding. When you use a mixture of CO2 and Ar as your shielding gas, you should keep the CO2 percentage at about 20%. If you use more than this amount, you will not have enough oxygen to protect against oxidation, and the weld may become brittle or porous.
Also note that if you are using higher percentages of CO2 in your mix, there may be issues with porosity or other problems if they are not handled properly during welding.
It’s better to use pure argon gas for tig welding than a mixture of argon and co2.
Pure argon gas has higher thermal conductivity than the mixture of gases, which allows it to transfer heat more efficiently to the metal being welded.
Can you TIG Weld with 75% Argon 25% Co2?
You can’t TIG weld with 75% argon and 25% CO2 gas. The reason is that the CO2 will cause the arc to become unstable, and you’ll get a dirty weld, which means it won’t be strong enough to handle your application.
I personally recommend using pure argon for TIG welding. You may use a CO2 mixture with argon for specified TIG welding projects that I will discuss below so that you can easily get an idea about argon and CO2 mixture percentage for different projects.
Why Should You Avoid Using Argon CO2 Mix?
Argon CO2 mix is a combination of argon and CO2 that is used to reduce spatter when welding. It can also be used as a way to protect the metal from oxidation during MIG welding.
However, it has some disadvantages when used for TIG welding, including the fact that it can cause porosity in the weld if used incorrectly.
Here are some reasons why you should avoid using Argon CO2 mix for TIG welding:
1. Contamination Issues:
First of all, Argon/CO2 mixes are not as stable as pure argon or CO2 gases. They’re more likely to break down or become contaminated by other gases in the air, which will cause weld quality issues and make your job take longer than it should.
2. Fear of Fire Explosion:
Argon/CO2 mixes also have a higher oxygen content than pure argon gas, which means they’re less safe and more prone to explosions or fires if improperly handled.
This is especially an issue if you’re working with large amounts of gas at once, so be sure to follow all safety precautions when handling these mixtures!
3. Affects Weld Quality:
Argon CO2 mixes do not provide the same quality of weld as pure argon gas. This means that your welds may be less durable and more prone to cracking.
The mixed gas produces CO2-induced stress cracking in solidified welds, which can lead to poor welds and cracks in the metal after it cools down.
4. Doesn’t Provide Smooth Arc:
The next reason why you should avoid using Argon CO2 mix for your TIG welding application is that it does not give a smooth arc.
When using this gas mixture, there will be a large amount of spatter from the weld puddle, which can cause problems when trying to complete your project.
If you are looking for a smooth arc, then it might be best to consider another type of gas mixture that does not have as much spatter, such as pure argon or helium.
5. Slag Issues:
Argon CO2 mix creates a lot of spatter and slag, which are both very difficult to clean off of your welds.
This means that your welds will look dirty and less professional than if you were using pure argon gas alone.
How Much Argon Co2 Mix Should I Use?
You can use argon with Co2 in the form of the following mixtures:
Argon & 5% CO2:
This blend is the most common for TIG welding because it provides a good balance of arc stability, penetration, and bead appearance.
The higher concentration of CO2 in this blend ensures that the arc is less likely to break down during welding.
This can be useful when welding thin materials like stainless steel or aluminum, but it may also cause more spatter than other blends.
Argon & 10% CO2:
This blend has a higher percentage of CO2 than Argon & 5% CO2, so the arc will remain stable even when the material being welded is thin. However, this can result in increased spatter and roughness on the weld surface.
Argon & 15% CO2:
Argon is a noble gas, which means it won’t react with most other elements. This makes it an excellent shielding gas for TIG welding.
Because of its ability to shield welds from oxygen, Argon-15% CO2 blends are common for TIG welding steel.
The primary benefit of this blend is that it’s inexpensive. However, Argon and 15% CO2 blends have the potential to produce porosity in the weld, so you may not want to use them for critical applications.
Argon & 20% CO2:
Argon is a noble gas, which means it won’t react with most other elements. This makes it an excellent shielding gas for TIG welding. Because of its ability to shield welds from oxygen, Argon-20% CO2 blends are common for TIG welding steel.
The primary benefit of this blend is that it’s inexpensive. However, Argon and 20% CO2 blends have the potential to produce porosity in the weld, so you may not want to use them for critical applications or if you’re trying to achieve very high tensile strength or hardness in your welds.
Argon & 25% CO2:
The Argon & 25% CO2 blend is a great choice for TIG welding, where there is a need for welding high-voltage metals.
This mixture has a lower percentage of CO2 than pure argon, which makes it easier to use in thinner-gauge material and gives you a more controllable arc. Moreover, I do not recommend using more than 20% CO2 for TIG welding.
What to Remember?
When you’re TIG welding with an argon/CO2 mixture, it’s important to remember a few key things:
| No. | Things to Remember |
| 1. | First, the mixture should be less than 25 or 20% CO2. |
| 2. | Argon CO2 mixes are typically used in industrial applications where more protection from oxidation is needed. The standard ratio for this type of mix is 90% argon and 10% carbon dioxide. |
| 3. | Use a mixture containing 80% argon and 20% CO2 for welding cast iron, steel, and stainless steel. |
| 4. | Use a mixture containing 90% argon and 10% CO2 for welding nickel-based alloys such as Monel 400 and Inconel 718. |
| 5. | If you want to dissolve CO2 in a thin gauge substance, then I recommend using 15% CO2 with argon as a mixture. |
Final Words!
I hope this guide has answered your questions about ‘‘can you use argon CO2 mix for TIG welding’’.
I have covered all the major questions you might have and have provided plenty of useful answers with examples to help explain the process more in-depth if you need to.
It is best to remain safe and protect yourself from hazardous fumes by using only pure argon as a shielding gas for TIG welding.
FAQs:
Can you use 75 argon 25 CO2 to weld stainless?
Yes, you can use 75 argon and 25 CO2 to weld stainless. The hard part is the speed at which you need to travel and the amps you need to set on your welder. Generally speaking, for stainless steel, you will want a short arc, low current, and high voltage. You should have good results with a 75/25 gas in most MIG welding projects.
Can I use 75% argon 25 CO2 to weld aluminum?
It is not recommended to weld aluminum with 75% argon and 25 CO2 because the process creates a non-insulating gas shield around the weld. When welding aluminum, you want to gas tungsten arc (GTA) weld using a pure argon shielding gas.
Why is CO2 not used in TIG?
CO2 is not used in TIG for two reasons. Firstly, CO2 is used in an oxidizing flame, which is a very high-temperature flame and therefore creates far too much heat to be able to melt the filler metal. Additionally, CO2 is also prone to creating a gas cloud around the weld joint which would inhibit proper puddle formation.
Which gas is not used in TIG?
Helium can be used in TIG welding, but it is not normally recommended to use pure helium. It is a very expensive gas, and not much is needed as the shielding gas to protect the weld from contaminants. The gas is also very light and may tend to float away from the weld puddle as the torch is moved about.
What argon is best for TIG welding?
Pure argon is the most common gas used for TIG welding. The best argon is 99.95% pure and does not contain any other gases, including helium or any other contaminants. The purity of the argon gas regulates the cleaning ability of a wire, arc length, and stability of the arc during welding.
