Gases

Description

Cryo Weld stocks shielding gases, fuel gases, and specialty blends for welding, cutting, and industrial use, available for purchase or cylinder exchange at both our Poughkeepsie and Lake Katrine locations. The right gas depends on your process and base metal – picking the wrong one is a common cause of porosity and poor fusion.

Choosing a Shielding Gas for MIG or TIG

Straight CO2 is the lowest-cost option for MIG welding mild steel and gives deep penetration, but it produces more spatter and a rougher bead than a blend. An argon/CO2 mix (commonly 75/25 or 90/10) runs cleaner with less spatter and is the standard choice for most mild steel fabrication shops. TIG welding and MIG on aluminum or stainless call for pure argon, since CO2 isn’t compatible with those processes. If you’re not sure which mix your machine and material call for, tell us what you’re welding and we’ll match you to the right gas.

FAQs

Should I use CO2 or argon for MIG welding mild steel?

Straight CO2 is cheaper and penetrates deeper, but an argon/CO2 blend (typically 75/25) produces less spatter and a cleaner bead – most shops doing regular fabrication work run the blend.

Can I use CO2 for TIG welding?

No. TIG welding requires pure argon (or an argon/helium blend for some applications) – CO2 isn’t compatible with the TIG process.

What gas do I need for MIG welding aluminum?

Pure argon is standard for MIG welding aluminum; a CO2 or argon/CO2 blend is not suitable for aluminum and will produce poor results.