Gas Question??

[corbyndad]

AIRGAS high purity Argon (or so they say). The problem I'm having is the last 500 lbs. of the bottled seems to be dirty. Welds don't seem to be a clean and the tip of my tungsten is discolored and kind of hairy looking at the tip. I've had bad gas before but the top half of the bottle seems to be ok. Dynasty 350 DC welding 2% ceriated tung. on stainless and this has happened with more than one bottle.

[Ltbadd]

Not sure what your question is. I'd return the bottle to the supplier with your complaint.

[corbyndad]

Not sure what your question is. I'd return the bottle to the supplier with your complaint.

Why would the first 1700 psi be good and the rest not?? We cannot switch suppliers as we are under contract.

[shovelon]

Why would the first 1700 psi be good and the rest not?? We cannot switch suppliers as we are under contract.

You might want to check your gas flow. As the bottle pressure goes down the output pressure goes up as the regulator tries to compensate. You could be flowing way too much gas and dragging air into the gas stream.

[corbyndad]

You might want to check your gas flow. As the bottle pressure goes down the output pressure goes up as the regulator tries to compensate. You could be flowing way too much gas and dragging air into the gas stream.

The flow ball is hanging out just under 20. That should be an accurate reading right?I'm using a gas lens and number 6 cup and have good luck til it gets below 500 psi. Bad regulator maybe??

[shovelon]

The flow ball is hanging out just under 20. That should be an accurate reading right?I'm using a gas lens and number 6 cup and have good luck til it gets below 500 psi. Bad regulator maybe??

Well usually the flow gauge is pretty accurate. That is strange. Does the weld clean up if you set at 15cfh? 20 for a #6 seems a bit high to me. I use a #8 at that flow.

Is there any obstruction on you screen?

[corbyndad]

Well usually the flow gauge is pretty accurate. That is strange. Does the weld clean up if you set at 15cfh? 20 for a #6 seems a bit high to me. I use a #8 at that flow.

Is there any obstruction on you screen?

Gas lens is new. Turned down the flow. Same result. Changed bottles and good to go. IDK!!

[shovelon]

Gas lens is new. Turned down the flow. Same result. Changed bottles and good to go. IDK!!

That is so strange.

I guess you should notify Airgas. Yes, my beloved Airgas.

[Ltbadd]

Why would the first 1700 psi be good and the rest not?? We cannot switch suppliers as we are under contract.

When did this start? What changed? Certainly this is a new problem? Since you are under contract, it would be in their best interest to help resolve this, IMO. At least try.

[corbyndad]

When did this start? What changed? Certainly this is a new problem? Since you are under contract, it would be in their best interest to help resolve this, IMO. At least try.

We've delt with bad gas from them for years. They are more than willing to replace the bottle with a new one but it gets really old running back and forth from the bottle cage to switch out bottles. We used to run their industrial grade and it was never right we just delt with it and later they switched us to high purity and it was better but now this. They claim we are the only ones in the area having problems. Just a really poor supplier a least here in Kansas.

[griff01]

We've delt with bad gas from them for years. They are more than willing to replace the bottle with a new one but it gets really old running back and forth from the bottle cage to switch out bottles. We used to run their industrial grade and it was never right we just delt with it and later they switched us to high purity and it was better but now this. They claim we are the only ones in the area having problems. Just a really poor supplier a least here in Kansas.

I have encountered 4 (four) bottles that caused problems with under 500 psi left in the bottle. The welds on mild steel all appeared ok but would cause "pepper specks" in aluminum and would not weld thin gauge aluminum at all.

The first bottle caused me lots of problems untill I switched bottle. The next time I saw this I recognized the problem immediately, returned the bottle to the supplier and insisted they test the remaining gas. They reluctantly agreed but made it right when the test results showed moisture, oxygen, and something else which I cannot remember at this time.

None of these four bottles were tried on stainless.

Griff

[corbyndad]

I have encountered 4 (four) bottles that caused problems with under 500 psi left in the bottle. The welds on mild steel all appeared ok but would cause "pepper specks" in aluminum and would not weld thin gauge aluminum at all.

The first bottle caused me lots of problems untill I switched bottle. The next time I saw this I recognized the problem immediately, returned the bottle to the supplier and insisted they test the remaining gas. They reluctantly agreed but made it right when the test results showed moisture, oxygen, and something else which I cannot remember at this time.

None of these four bottles were tried on stainless.

Griff

Thanks for sharing your experience Griff. Now I know that I'm not totally nuts!

[con_fuse9]

Moisture?

I'm wondering if moisture is not the culprit. Gasses usually mix pretty well. Any liquid wouldn't. Drop the pressure and the liquid might start to gas (water has a vapor pressure).
Just a thought.