Finding the best shielding gas is critical to your welding operations and product quality.

Shielding gases play a critical role in many welding operations across virtually every aspect of metal fabrication. For example, MIG welding shielding gases help you protect your weld pool from exposure to nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor and other elements that negatively impact your weld. Keeping these contaminants out gives you better control over the welding process, resulting in better weld, bead shape and reduced spatter levels.

Better GMAW welds require less rework and clean up – saving you time and money. It just makes sense. But sometimes just using an average MIG shielding gas isn’t enough. If you haven’t selected the best option for your application and material, you are putting your finished product quality at risk. Using the best shielding gas for your job not only enhances your metfab shop’s productivity, but can also improve weld quality and increase your bottom line. When customers call on us for help with MIG welding quality issues, often times there are a number of underlying problems,” said Chris Vihnanek, director of MetFab Productivity for Praxair Distribution. “Our team goes in, performs a Praxair StarSolver® assessment and looks at the whole welding process which can be short circuit, spray or pulsed spray. Nine out of ten times, a new MIG shielding gas is part of the team’s final recommendation.”