What’s in this one? (BOC cylinder)

[Paulbarrett]

Picked up some bits and thrown in was this cylinder. Obviously a box one as I have argon and shield light from them already.
Only tag is date from 2020 around neck top. It has a fair bit of gas still in it. But have no clue what.

 

[Other Daniel]

I just tried a Google search for bottle colour coding, and it was about as clear as mud.

 

[backpurge]

It’s definitely not helium. From the cylinder colours and size it will most likely be an argon, CO2, O2 mix (Argoshield) but you can’t tell which “flavour”
The recommendation is that if the cylinder doesn’t have a label, you can’t be sure just what’s in it and you shouldn’t use it

 

[backpurge]

I just tried a Google search for bottle colour coding, and it was about as clear as mud.

There are literally dozens of gas mixes so it would be impossible to colour code each cylinder to the exact gas mix, the colour coding of that cylinder indicates it’s predominantly an argon mix, it will also contain either CO2, O2, H2, or a combination of these gases

 

[Paulbarrett]

You guys are coming to the same hurdle as me. It’s the same as blithe my argon and mix bottles. Just didn’t know if there was a way of sussing it out from the experts in here.

 

[Richiew]

From a sample of the two in my possession.

BOC Pureshield. 100% argon. All green bottle. There is an old yellow sticker on there too.
(Corrected, thanks Backpurge)

Below, BOC Argoshield Light. Argon/CO2 mix.

Blue bottle with green ring at the top. Looks more like yours, but of course we don't know for certain that they are the same.

 

[merryman]

As it has an adapter for a hobby mig welder it is going to be sheilding gas, if you are welding steel, doesn't matter if it is Argoshield or CO2, so just use it. If you are welding stainless or aluminium, don't.

 

[tom2207]

helium used to be in a brown cylinder .

Official BOC Gases | Gas, Equipment and Accessories | Services and Industries - UK

www.boconline.co.uk

 

[Brad93]

That's argoshield. 100%

 

[Brad93]

Balloon Helium has a brown brown bottle. Technical helium is grey bottle with a brown band if I remember correctly.

 

[backpurge]

From a sample of the two in my possession.

BOC stainshield. 100% argon. All green bottle. There is an old yellow sticker on there too.

Stainshield is a mixed gas, not pure Argon

 

[Richiew]

Yes you're right. My mistake. I've corrected my post.

Cheers

 

[wyn]

Red collar is argoshield universal.

Green is light, no idea what colour heavy is.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I've got a boc balloon gas and I'm pretty sure the regulator is fixed onto that one as it has a special balloon filling bit on it?

 

[backpurge]

Red collar is argoshield universal.

Green is light, no idea what colour heavy is.

think you’re mistaken, blue cylinder with a red collar is an Argon/Hydrogen mix like Specshield 5% H2. Blue cylinder with green collar is an Argon/CO2 or Argon/CO2/O2 mix . All Argoshield mixes are blue with a green collar regardless of whether it’s Light, Universal or Heavy

 

[octo0072000]

just use it it's argoshield of some sort try see how it welds

 

[wyn]

think you’re mistaken, blue cylinder with a red collar is an Argon/Hydrogen mix like Specshield 5% H2. Blue cylinder with green collar is an Argon/CO2 or Argon/CO2/O2 mix . All Argoshield mixes are blue with a green collar regardless of whether it’s Light, Universal or Heavy

Maybe "collar" was the wrong word to use describing the red bit on the bottle valve that holds the cap on.