FAQ's
How many balloons can I fill with my helium tank?
That depends on the size of the balloons being used and the size of the tank. Temperature
and tank pressures can also be a factor. See the chart below for approximate numbers:
(These are assuming you do not overfill balloons and start with a full tank)
|
Helium Cylinder Size |
Tank Pressure |
9'' |
11'' |
14'' |
16'' |
|
40 cu.ft./ "V" Cylinder |
2200 psi |
125 |
60 |
35 |
25 |
|
80 cu.ft./ "Q" Cylinder |
2200 psi |
250 |
120 |
70 |
50 |
|
122 cu.ft./ "S" Cylinder |
2200 psi |
340 |
180 |
90 |
75 |
|
244 cu.ft./ "K" Cylinder |
2200 psi |
680 |
360 |
180 |
150 |
|
291 cu.ft./ "T" Cylinder |
2200 psi |
940 |
500 |
250 |
200 |
What do the terms TIG and MIG stand for?
TIG [Tungsten Inert Gas] and MIG [Metal Inert Gas] refer to two electric welding
processes in common use today. They are very different and each has characteristics
making them suitable for particular welding applications. In brief;
TIG welding uses a non-consumable electrode that provides the arc and a separate
filler material in the form of a rod. In addition, the TIG torch delivers a shielding
gas to the weld site to minimize weld oxidation and/or alter the characteristics
of the weld metal. In technique it is much like handling a oxy-acetylene torch though
it is an electric process rather than flammable gas. It produces high quality welds
and is especially suitable for aluminum and stainless steel metals.
MIG welding uses a device to automatically feed welding filler material into the
weld site. The material is in the form of wire and the wire itself is the electrode.
As it is with the TIG torch, the MIG torch delivers shielding gas to the weld site
although welding wire is available that produces its own shielding gas in much the
same way flux coated stick electrodes do.
The American Welding Society refers to these two processes as GTAW [gas tungsten
arc welding] for TIG and GMAW [gas metal arc welding] for MIG.
What is the difference between brazing and welding?
Brazing is a process where metal is joined together by heating the base metal to
approximately 800°F and then using a non-ferrous filler metal having a melting point
below that of the base metal. The filler metal melts and adheres to the base metal.
The base metal does not melt and there is no fusion as in welding processes.
Most commercial metals can be brazed. Although brazed joints have a relatively high
tensile strength they do not possess the full strength properties of conventional
welding techniques. One very useful characteristic of brazing is its ability to
join dissimilar metals.
What do the numbers on welding rod mean?
Arc welding electrodes are coded by the American Welding Society [AWS]. Each AWS
number gives complete information about the electrode.
Classifications of mild and low alloy steel electrodes are based on an 'E' prefix
and a four or five digit number. The first two digits [or three, in a five digit
number] indicate the minimum required tensile strength in thousands of pounds per
square inch [psi]. The next to last digit indicates the welding position in which
the electrode is capable of making satisfactory welds. [1 = All positions, 2 = Flat
position and horizontal fillets]. The last digit indicates the type of current to
be used and the type of covering on the electrode [see fig. 1].
fig. 1
|
FOURTH DIGIT |
TYPE COATING |
CURRENT |
|
0 |
ORGANIC
|
DC+ only
|
|
1 |
ORGANIC
|
AC, DC+, DC- |
|
2 |
RUTILE |
AC or DC- |
|
3 |
RUTILE |
AC, DC-, DC+ |
|
4 |
RUTILE, IRON POWDER |
AC, DC-, DC+ |
|
5 |
|
DC+ only |
|
6 |
LOW HYDROGEN |
AC or DC+ |
|
7 |
LOW HYDROGEN |
AC, DC-, DC+ |
|
8 |
MINERAL IRON POWDERLOW
HYDROGEN, IRON POWDER |
AC or DC+ |
Example: E6010
|
a. |
The prefix [EXXXX] designates an arc welding electrode. |
|
b. |
The first two digits [E60XX] indicate a minimum tensile strength of 60,000 psi. |
|
c. |
The next digit [EXX1X] indicates position; All positions. |
|
d. |
The last digit [EXXX0] indicates an organic coating and DC+ current |
POWER CABLE
|
Wire Size |
Max Amp @ 100 ft. |
Voltage Drop / 100 ft. |
|
4 |
105 |
2.6 |
|
6
|
80
|
3.2 |
|
8
|
55
|
3.42 |
|
10
|
40
|
4.0 |
|
12
|
25
|
4.0 |
|
14
|
20
|
6.4 |
WELD CABLE
|
Amps
|
Cable Sizes Required per Lengths
|
|
0 - 50 ft.
|
100 ft.
|
150 ft.
|
200 ft.
|
250 ft.
|
|
100
150
180
180
200
|
8
6
5
4
3
|
4
5
4
4
3
|
3
3
3
3
2
|
2
2
2
2
1
|
1
1
1
1
1/0
|
|
200
200
225
225
250
|
2
2
4 or 5
3
3
|
2
2
3
3
3
|
2
2
2
2
2
|
1
1
1
1
1
|
1/0
1/0
1/0
1/0
1/0
|
|
250
250
300
|
2
1
1
|
2
1
1
|
1
1
1
|
1
1
1/0
|
1/0
1/0
2/0
|
|
325
350
400
400
500
600
600
600
650
650
|
2/0
1/0
2/0
3/0
2/0
3/0
2 -1/0
2-1/0
3/0
2-1/0
|
2/0
1/0
2/0
3/0
2/0
3/0
2 -1/0
2-1/0
3/0
2-1/0
|
2/0
2/0
2/0
3/0
3/0
3/0
2 -1/0
2-1/0
4/0
2-1/0
|
2/0
2/0
3/0
3/0
3/0
4/0
2-2/0
2-2/0
2-2/0
2-2/0
|
3/0
3/0
4/0
4/0
4/0
2-3/0
2-3/0
2-3/0
2/3/0
2-3/0
|
What shielding gas should I use?
The primary purpose of shielding gas is to displace the air in the weld zone to
prevent contamination of the weld zone by oxygen, nitrogen, or water vapor. Shielding
gas for TIG welding can be argon, helium, or a mixture of argon and helium. Argon
is the most popular. Argon has greater cleaning action and provides a more stable
arc than Helium. Argon is heavier than air and provides a blanket over the weld
that protects it from contaminants. Helium is lighter than air, requires a higher
gas flow than argon and is more expensive to use. Helium allows greater penetration
and faster welding speeds because the arc is hotter in the helium atmosphere than
in the argon atmosphere. For MIG welding a mixture of argon and helium is sometimes
used in welding metals that require greater heat. Argon is used for most TIG welding
applications.
Argon [A], helium [He], and carbon dioxide [CO2] are the principal shielding gases
used. Oxygen [O2] is used as an additive to stabilize the welding arc. Listed below
are some of the more common gas and gas mixture applications.
|
BASE METAL
|
SPRAY TRANSFER
|
DIP TRANSFER
|
PULSED SPRAY
|
|
Stainless Steel
|
A + .5% O2
A + 1% O2
A + 2% O2
|
90% HE + 7.5% A + 2.5% CO2
|
A + .5% O2
A + 1% O2
A + 2% O2
|
|
Carbon and
Low Alloy Steel
|
A + 1% O2
A + 2% O2
A + 5% O2
A + 5% CO2
A + 8% CO2
|
CO2
A + 25% CO2
A + 8% CO2
A + 5% CO2
|
A + 1% O2
A + 2% O2
A + 5% O2
A + 5% CO2
A + 8% CO2
|
|
Aluminum and
Magnesium
|
Argon
Helium
A + 25% HE
A + 75% HE
A + .15% O2
|
N/A
|
Argon
A + 25% HE
A + 75% HE
A + .15% O2
|
|