What are examples of welding gases?
Gases used in welding and cutting processes include: • shielding gases such as carbon dioxide, argon, helium, etc. • fuel gases such as acetylene, propane, butane, etc. • oxygen, used with fuel gases and also in small amounts in some shielding gas mixtures Gases produced from welding and cutting processes include: • carbon dioxide from the decomposition of fluxes • carbon monoxide from the breakdown of carbon dioxide shielding gas in arc welding • ozone from the interaction of electric arc with atmospheric oxygen • nitrogen oxides from the heating of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen • hydrogen chloride and phosgene produced by the reaction between ultraviolet light and the vapours from chlorinated hydrocarbon degreasing solvents (e.g., trichloroethylene, TCE). Gases are also produced from the thermal breakdown of coatings: • Polyurethane coatings can produce hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and isocyanate vapours. • Epoxy coatings can
