How to weld on planet Mars ???

The same stuff that's presently in Uranus.

Uranus is full of (inert) filler gas.

Just kinda hard to get to it sometimes.

^^

Tristan

I think you should be alright with TIG. The atmospheric pressure on Mars in lower. I think as you lower the pressure of the gas you are running an arc in, the arc spreads, but for this difference in pressure it will be by not much. Maybe you would notice a slightly softer arc compared to on Earth. But I don't think it's as much as would matter. I suggest TIG because you can weld just about any metal and for filler you can use scrap bits of the same substance, provided by the locals, when you are welding to make pretty good welds. And you can take some sticks (SMA rods) for when it's just plain old iron (I take it the "Red Planet" is red because of lots of iron oxide in the rocks? I'm not an astronomer. Would be happy to be stood corrected here).

The winds are very fast on Mars, so you would need to protect your shield around the torch. Make sure you take a tent. With the atmospheric pressure being low, although the winds are very fast they don't exert much force and an ordinary tent from WalMart would be just fine.

Have a good trip. Tell us what is was like when you get back. Maybe you can run a weblog while you are out there so we can see the projects you are doing.

Richard S.

don't you think that Mig would work well on Mars? with the very low oxygen content, and relatively high CO2, you probably wouldn't need a shielding gas.

On a related note, could you tig in outer space with no shielding gas?

Brian

Klingons?

"Considering the events of recent years, the world has a long way to go to regain its credibility and reputation with the US." unknown

Brian

In space, where you are in a high vacuum, electron beam is the one to use. Electron beam is really neat but only in a vacuum - but in space that's exactly what you are in - a vacuum. So all you need is the "gun", open - no shields, chambers, pumps, ancilliaries or anything. Can hold an in-space electron beam welding torch in one hand.

The Soviets were ahead in this. See

On Earth, you have to have a vacuum chamber to hold your weldment and pumps to pump it down to a very low vacuum. It's a major hassle. If the chamber is big, it takes long time to pump down. If it's small, there will often be some part of your job which won't fit in. Laser can be used in air. So although lasers are expensive, they tend to be used on Earth. But in space... No such problem.

You can see the Soviet astronaut just holding the electron beam gun up against what she is welding and the thing works.

Richard S.

.....and we thought weld fumes don't cause any mental issues!

Put out a solar array that is set for 44V and 10,000 amps and then thrust the GND into the ground - red planet - rusting iron - and start welding away.

Just don't let any - repeat any metal ball hit you or you fly into the SUN!

Martin

When I weld on Mars I always use Thorazine shielding.

I previously used Prozac shielding. But Thorazine is better. Keeps my hands steadier, too.

One disadvantage is that with Prozac shielding I could find my ass with only one hand. With Thorazine it takes both.

Therefore, when on Mars I can find my ass with both hands. Or I can weld. I can do both. But not at the same time.

YMMV V

"Tristan Beeline" is a troll in a lot of different groups. If you're going to reply to him, you might want to drop "finet.unet" from the list of where the message posts to. He uses "finet.unet" to track his posts. By removing it, you'll take away some of his trollish joy.

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