Post #1779011
2026-03-30 01:19 UTC
@sellathechemist @Ichinin
Could welding be switched over to neon or argon? My understanding was it didn't need to be cold, just inert.
Replies (1)
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@sellathechemist@mastodon.social 2026-03-30 09:07
@MegaMichelle @Ichinin One of the big advantages of helium is its low molecular mass. It means that the atoms move extremely fast and that makes helium an exceptionally good conductor of heat - so for some applications it's hard to replace. Hydrogen is even more thermally conductive, but has other drawbacks. As to neon, the destruction by the Russians of the great steelworks in Ukraine included the air liquefaction plants. So other noble gases - neon, krypton, xenon are also pinched.