argon co2

[vin]

I have found a hobby gas suplyer close by that i intend to use but im a little confused about which gas to buy, at the same price is advertised Argon CO2 5% and Argon CO2 20%, my problem is knowing which one will will be best for my use bearing in mind that i will be using my welder mainly on car body work, many thaks, Vin

 

[Wozzaaah]

Moved to the correct forum.

The golden rule is 5% for thin stuff, 20% for thicker stuff though 20% also works on thin stuff too.
Given the choice, 5% if all you want to do is weld bodywork.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

What would your recommendation be for 3-4mm angle and 3mm box section?

I'd have gone for the 5% mix, but your comment regarding the 20% mix being OK for thinner materials made me wonder what the pro's and con's would be to using the 20% mix on my 3mm box section.

I'll be using either a Clarke 160TM or a GYS SmartMIG 162, the gas supplier would be Adams, and I'd be looking to weld both indoors and outdoors.

Thanks
Stu

 

[shenion]

The 20% is 80% argon, 20% CO2.

The 5% is usually 93% argon, 5% CO2 and 2% O2.

O2 is about 8 times as effective as CO2 for added heat to the weld pool.

So, they come out about the same.

Use whatever your supplier has. Here you can't get the O2 mixes and everyone uses 75/25 even on thin stuff with no problems.

The 5% will probably be a bit cleaner but I gen no spatter on 75/25. The 5% can also be used for stainless (no ideal and will need cleaning.)

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Thanks Shenion

Looks like it's a bit different here as Adams have 2% Oxygen in both mixes:

• 78% Argon , 2% Oxygen, 20% Carbon Dioxide

• 93% Argon , 2% Oxygen, 5% Carbon Dioxide

Cheers
Stu