Argon

Argon (Ar) is one of the noble or inert gases, with its nonreactive nature playing a factor in its many uses. It is manufactured for industrial uses by the process of fractional distillation, which separates Argon from Oxygen and Nitrogen in their liquid states.

Argon is a common component of welding gases and gas mixtures for TIG (tungsten inert gas) and MIG (metal inert gas) welding (and more recently laser welding) where it is used as a shielding gas to prevent oxidation of the weld.

Argon’s lack of reactivity makes it particularly useful in the production of reactive elements and compounds because it establishes an atmosphere devoid of oxygen, minimizing the contamination.

Argon Applications

One of argon’s main uses is in the steel and stainless steel industry where it is used to stir molten metal (in ladles) and “eject” traces of carbon and nitrogen (to prevent nitrides formation). Liquid argon is used in surgical applications to freeze and destroy cancer cells, and Argon lasers are used in a wide variety of medical procedures. Argon is used in welding to help displace and prevent oxidation of metals during the bonding process. Many double-paned windows use Argon as a filler gas to help increase thermal efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs.