Welding Gas Mixture Cylinder
A welding gas mixture is a gas consisting of the main gas, which makes up the majority of the gas mixture volume, and one or more components that affect the service properties and characteristics of the gas mixture. Currently, the most modern and highly efficient methods of obtaining welding gas mixtures are volume mixing (by fractional volumes of gases) and mixing by molar masses (the molar mass of each gas is calculated), which are performed either on high-precision scales or using a professional dispenser. For welding gas mixtures, argon (Ar), helium (He), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), nitrogen (N2), and hydrogen (H2) are mainly used as the main gas and components.
APPLICATION:
The welding gas mixture is used for fusion welding and other related processes, including backside protection of the weld and other auxiliary purposes, according to their chemical properties and metallurgical behavior, namely, in: • arc welding with a tungsten electrode; • arc welding under shielding gas with a consumable electrode; • plasma welding • plasma cutting • laser welding; • laser cutting • arc brazing. Requirements for transportation, storage and use of cylinders for welding gas mixture are established by the Federal standards and regulations in the field of industrial safety "Regulations of industrial safety for hazardous facilities using equipment operating under excessive pressure", GOST R ISO 14175-2010 "Welding materials. Gases and gas mixtures for fusion welding and related processes", fire safety standards, as well as other laws and regulations and international agreements in force on the territory of the Russian Federation.Cylinders are not hazardous cargo until they are taken into use, but in any case they should be transported in conditions that exclude mechanical damage. Cylinders filled with a welding gas mixture shall be transported by all modes of transport in accordance with cargo carriage regulations applicable to this mode of transport, as well as safety rules for transportation of dangerous goods by rail. Cylinders may be transported in special containers, as well as without containers in an upright position, always with spacers between them and secured against possible falling. The cylinders must be transported with caps screwed on.
Cylinders designed for storage and transportation of the welding gas mixture must not be used for storage and transportation of other gases, and it is prohibited to perform any operations that may contaminate their internal surface and degrade the physical and chemical properties of the gas. It is forbidden to make any modifications to the cylinder bodies using welding or mechanical tools, which can lead to damage to the integrity or appearance of defects that degrade the technical characteristics of the cylinders. When using cylinders for welding gas mixture it is not allowed to install them in the places of people passage, movement of goods and passage of vehicles. Cylinders must be located at least 1 m away from radiators and other heating devices and at least 5 m from heat sources with open flame. Many components of welding gas mixtures are themselves explosive and flammable substances, therefore premises with a potential risk of accumulation of these components must be provided with uninterrupted functioning ventilation. The gas in the cylinders must not be completely consumed when in use. The residual gas pressure in the cylinder must be at least 0.05 MPa (0.5 kgf/cm2).
Cylinders with a welding gas mixture can be stored both in special rooms and in the open air, in the latter case they must be protected from atmospheric precipitation and sunlight. Cylinders filled with a welding gas mixture may be stored in open areas together with other gases, provided that the storage areas are separated from each other by non-combustible barriers with a height of 1.5 m, joint storage with cylinders filled with combustible gases is also allowed, provided that the storage areas are separated from each other by non-combustible protective walls not less than 2.5 m high. Storage of cylinders should be carried out with the caps screwed on.