|
Base
Metal
|
Gas
Shield
|
Welding
Process
|
Results
|
|
Aluminum
and
Magnesium
|
Argon
(Ar)
|
Manual
|
Good
ARC starting, cleaning action and weld quality; lower gas
consumption
|
|
Helium
(He)
|
Manual
& Machine
|
High
welding speeds
|
|
Argon-Helium
(Ar-He)
|
Machine
|
Better
weld quality, uses less gas than straight helium
|
|
Steel
|
Argon
(Ar)
|
Spot
|
Generally
preferred for longer electrode life. Better weld Shape. Easy
to start and uses less gas than helium
|
|
Manual
|
Better
puddle control, especially for position welding
|
|
Stainless
Steel
|
Argon
(Ar)
|
Manual
|
Controlled
penetration on thin metal ( to 14 gage )
|
|
Argon-Helium
(Ar-He)
|
Manual
|
Hotter
and faster on heavier gages
|
|
Argon-Helium-Hydrogen
(Ar-He-H2)
|
Machine
|
Prevents
undercutting, good bead shape at low temperatures (35%H2max).
Requires less gas.
|
|
Helium (He)
|
Machine
|
Hottest
for deepest penetration
|
|
Copper
Nickel
CU-NI-Alloys
|
Argon
(Ar)
|
Manual
|
Easy
to control penetration and bead contour on thin metal
|
|
Argon-Helium
(Ar-He)
|
Machine
|
Higher
heat offsets heat conductivity on heavier gages
|
|
Helium (He)
|
Machine
|
Highest heat input on thick metals
|
