Argon is generally the preferred orifice gas.
Metal | Gauge | Keyhole | Melt-in |
---|---|---|---|
Carbon Steel | Under 1/16" | Keyhole tech, not recommended | Argon Helium HeliStar A-75 |
Carbon Steel | Over 1/16" | Argon HeliStar A-25 | Argon HeliStar A-25 |
Stainless Steel | Under 1/16" | Keyhole tech, not recommended | Argon Helium HydroStar H-2 |
Stainless Steel | Over 1/16" | Argon HeliStar A-25 HydroStar H-5 | Argon Helium HydroStar H-5 |
Aluminum | Under 1/16" | Keyhole tech, not recommended | Argon Helium |
Aluminum | Over 1/16" | Helium | Helium |
Copper | Under 1/16" | Keyhole tech, not recommended | Helium HeliStar A-75 |
Copper | Over 1/16" | Helium or HeliStar A-25 | Helium |
Gas selections shown are for both the orifice and shielding gas.
Metal | Gauge | Keyhole | Melt-in |
---|---|---|---|
Carbon Steel | Under 1/8" | Argon | Argon |
Carbon Steel | Over 1/8" | Argon | HeliStar A-25 |
Stainless Steel | Under 1/8" | Argon or HydroStar H-5 | Argon |
Stainless Steel | Over 1/8" | Argon or HydroStar H-5 | HeliStar A-25 |
Aluminum | Under 1/4" | Argon | Argon HeliStar A-75 |
Aluminum | Over 1/4" | Helium | Helium HeliStar A-25 |
Copper | Under 3/32" | Argon | Helium or HeliStar A-25 |
Copper | Over 3/32" | Keyhole tech, not recommended * | Helium |
* The underbead will not form correctly. However, on Cu-Zn alloys a keyhole technique can be used. A65