Hi there just called in at local friendly pub and picked up full bottle, but just noticed the contents are: 70% N2 30% CO2. Is this going to work?? Or do I need 100% CO2 bottles Any advice would be appreciated Thanks
N2 (with a little 2) is Nitrogen. N2O (again with a little 2) is nitrous oxide -laughing gas also used for making cars go fast. N2O would make for entertaining welding (don't do it at home ).
Nitrogen is used as a shielding gas for welding. It's not normally used for MIG (argon/CO2 mixes are more common) but I don't know if it is better or worse than plain CO2.
Whether it's better or worse would depend on how steady the arc is and what nitrogen absorption would do to the steel properties (might be worth an internet search on that - the limited search I did suggested a little nitrogen was good but too much might be bad, but the pdf I found was so boring I didn't hang around to find out why). If nitrogen absorption isn't an issue then it's worth a go to see how the arc is. I'd be interested to know how it works.
Thanks for your prompt replies, I might give it a go when my regulator turns up, should have arrived Friday . Anyone one know of a reliable, cheap supplier of regulators for Pub type bottles? If results are bad I think I'll try to swop it for an all black (100%)CO2 cylinder. Thanks again.
OOOPS my bad,
I'm pleased you picked that up malcolm,
What was I thinking.
I have used N2 in my air suspension systems and also giggle gas in drag racing.
Hi all,
Mparsnip you have picked up a bottle of gas for lager (time spent working BOC sureflow!) and i would recommend welding with it really as i think you will get a lot of spatter etc,nitrogen is normally used as a back purging gas,id take it back and ask if he will change it for a black cylinder (Code B or SB),as for regulators im not sure,you could try a standard c02 regulator on it it may be ok,the trouble is pub gassing systems are connected by small diameter hose into the cooling/gassing equipment,so you may have to ask at a BOC (or similar) agent.