Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H₂) is the lightest of all gases. Colorless, odorless, tasteless and nontoxic, hydrogen exists as a gas at atmospheric temperatures and pressures. In metal fabrication, hydrogen serves as a protective atmosphere in high temperature operations such as stainless steel manufacturing. Hydrogen is commonly mixed with argon for increased travel speed, improved color match and enhanced weld metal fluidity during welding of austenitic grades of stainless steel (300 series). Hydrogen is used as an addition to argon mixtures to improve performance during plasma welding, gouging and cutting operations.