Nitrogen for MIG welding?
I have a very cheap source of Nitrogen and I was wondering how well it work for MIG welding.
Another idea is to use a fluxless rod on my stick welder with a Nitrogen shield.
Anyone?
BoyntonStu
You don't want to try this.
Nitrogen is one of the elements that will fit in the interstices of iron (also boron, hydrogen, etc) and it will cause all kinds of nasty results. Nitrogen can be added to iron-carbon (aka steel) in minute amounts to strengthen it....but not at the level you will get when trying to use it as a shielding gas.
Thanks, I needed that information.
BTW What are the 'proper' shielding gases and gas mixtures and what are the benefits/drawbacks of each?
BoyntonStu
That's an awfully broad question. It depends on the type of wire you expect to use, type of equipment, base metal and process (e.g. short-arc, spray, pulse or flux core).
If you can post more specifics, I'm sure the group can offer better input.
For bits of sheet metal work, I think a new MIG welding experimenter would find Ar/CO2 mix is really good. It gives a smooth arc. ???
Richard Smith
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