
Welding gas is used widely – by car enthusiasts, DIY specialists, sculptors, inventors, metal workers and more – and is ideal for numerous applications.
Before you can choose welding gas, you need to be aware of the options available to you and which welding method best suits your requirements.
Welding methods
There is no single welding process that is perfect for ALL applications. Some welding methods are bettersuited to specific materials or applications. When it comes to finding the right welding gas, Gas UK can match your project needs and welding skills, with the right method and equipment. Could you benefit from their expertise?
3 of the most popular welding methods include:
Arc welding
Arc welding is most common for home and garage welding applications. An electrical current flows from a gap between the welding stick and the arc to create an effective weld.
Any welding gas that is used for Arc welding is suitable for use indoors and outdoors and is considered to be an economical method.
What are the benefits?
When outdoor conditions are windy, Arc welding is ideal. This method suits thick materials- including dirty and rusty metals. The welding gas, provided by Gas UK, is manufactured to the highest quality to optimise performance and is easy to transport.
Arc welding is usually recommended for those who are on a tight budget as it offers an affordable method for welding.
MIG welding
Metal Inert Gas or MIG, is the term used to describe the welding of aluminium or other non-ferrous materials.
It compromises a wire-welding electrode on a coil which is then fed through the metal at a constant speed. The electrical current between the metal and the wire creates an arc which causes the wire to melt and allows the metal to join.
This process offers a strong bond between thick and thin materials and requires minimal cleaning- making it a convenient choice.
The Uniweld Plus is a 10 litre cylinder that Gas UK supply for MIG welding. It’s used to weld carbon, carbon manganese and low alloy-steels, exceeding ISO 14175:2008 standards.
What are the benefits?
MIG welding is the easiest method to learn- hence why it’s often the preferred method for beginners. The process is quick to pick up and offers great control. What’s more, the gases used for MIG applications guarantee a clean weld.
TIG welding
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), is an example of arc welding where the tungsten electrode produces the weld. There is a shielding gas, such as Argon, which offers protection against contamination.
Within Gas UK’s extensive collection of welding gas, youwill find the 10 Litre Argon Pure gas cylinder, which is used for welding low-alloy steels and carbon.
What are the benefits?
With TIG welding, energy is provided from a power supply and conducted across the arc.Unlike other welding methods, this one offers greater control and provides strong, high-quality welds. TIG welding is suitable for various materials and can be adjusted to suit specification.
Choosing welding gas
Choosing the rightwelding gas is important.You also need to make sure that you take into consideration the equipment required for welding applications. This can include any of the following:
- Welding gas
- Welding gloves
- Welding helmet
- PPE (including flame retardant or heat resistant jacket)
- Other consumables
Selecting a welding gas shouldn’t be difficult- but you may find yourself spoilt for choice with Gas UK! Gas UK supplies a wide range of welding gas cylinders to meet the growing demands of customers and they can help you to select the right welding gas for your application. All of their products include full product descriptions, so you needn’t worry about finding what you need to know.
The best thing to do when choosing a welding gas is to establish what you need (using this guide) and then discuss your project requirements in detail with an expert to iron out any uncertainty or discrepancies. The team at Gas UK are always on hand to offer their expertise, so be sure to contact them on 0800 133 7490 if you need to know more.