Argon CO2 mix type

[dan.taylor.1]

Hi all,

Just wondering if the lesser ratio used for Stainless (97.5/2.5%) can be used for mild steel instead of the 95/5% or other mixes to save on having to swap bottles etc?

Cheers Dan

 

[Wozzaaah]

Moved to 'Shielding gas'.
You might find it will work but will give you tall ugly welds.
If you have some there just try it.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Hi Wozzaaah, cheers for the moving, hadnt noticed the shielding gas section, doh! No i dont have any here to try, but my bottles due a refill after my new few jobs by the look of the level guage so thought id ask see if swapping was an option.

Is welding stainless a definate no no on 5% CO2? i read it makes black welds, is that all?

Dan

 

[backpurge]

Depends on what you are doing and what quality the completed job needs to be, you can weld mild steel below 2mm with 2,5% without too much trouble, the pentration will not be as good as with a 5% mix but on sheetmetalwork this may not be a huge problem
Likewise a lot of people use a 5% CO2, 2% O2 in argon mix for stainless, the cosmetic quality isn't great and the gas companies wouldn't advise it but a lot of the guys on here use it with no problems