How is the gas put into the Neon tube?
Luminous tubes are capped off by two glass electrodes which have wire passing from outside to inside. The tubing is sealed to the pumping system or manifold. The manifold has glass stopcocks or valves that allow sections to be selectively opened or closed. A very high vacuum pump draws the air out of the tube while a high voltage-high amperage transformer bombards and heats the remaining air to produce temperatures in excess of 500 F. This allows the tube to achieve a higher degree of purity. When a very high vacuum is reached and the tube begins to cool, a small amount of inert gas is introduced from a flask or tank. The tubing is then heated and as it is pulled it the glass tube is drawn in and creates an airtight seal. Q: Are the gasses in Neon dangerous? A: Neon and argon are inert gasses and pose no personal or environmental threat by themselves. Argon/Mercury filled tubing contains a small amount of mercury, which poses no danger as long as the tubing is in tact. EPA approved dis
