Mask Glass Colour

[robbo1]

Hi all,
My first stupid questions from a newby Tigger
When using gas/mig on steel your goggle/mask glass colour is normally green. When gas welding ally the glass colour is blue.
When AC TIG welding ally do you still need blue and if so what shade ?
Can you get auto darkening masks for AC TIG ally welding ?

 

[piman]

Hello Robbo1,

the reason for the blue lens when gas welding welding aluminium is that the flux fumes are yellow and the green filter is not as good as blue in giving a reasonable view of the weld pool. This, of course, does not apply with MIG or TIG so a green lens is fine.

Alec

 

[Mikey98118]

Hello Robbo1,

the reason for the blue lens when gas welding aluminium is that the flux fumes are yellow and the green filter is not as good as blue in giving a reasonable view of the weld pool. This, of course, does not apply with MIG or TIG so a green lens is fine.

Alec,
You pretty much have it right, although blue is also favored over green for hot work on highly reflective surfaces (like aluminum). The only blue ANSI (safety) rated welding filters I know of in the USA are those listed below:

Weld-Cool polycarbonate arc-welding filter plates (shades #10 & #12) feature an anti-fog hard coating that helps protect their 24-karat gold plated front layer. Between the plastic filter’s UV/IR absorbing dye, and its gold plating, only visible blue light is permitted to pass. These filters have raised edges to keep clear protective lenses from touching their surface; they come in their own protective case. Weld-Cool lenses have excellent flux flare and surface glare suppression. Their blue views are superior for seeing through obstruction from heavy fumes, making them an excellent choice for welding aluminum with rod, MIG, or TIG. Prices run between $25 and $37 at this time, depending on the source.

However, standard gold faced welding filters, which you should be able to find easily, and at resonable prices, give a blue/green view that is quite sufficient for anyone who doesn't have the need for the very best aluminum view possible.

Also, not all auto-darken filters are alike; some pass light on the yellow end of the green band; others tend toward the blue end of the green band. There is a lot of difference between the two when you're trying to avoid sodium glare.

 

[robbo1]

Cheers guy's
That makes thing's a lot clearer now.