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Uses of Argon Gas in Everyday Life
Argon is an abundant and inert noble gas, making it the preferred gas for chemical reactions requiring a low-reactivity atmosphere. Below are a few of its regular uses.
- Electric Light Bulbs:
The heat generated by a tungsten filament produces light in an incandescent bulb. An inert gas, like Argon, is placed inside the bulb to keep the filament from burning out. It creates a stable, non-reactive environment, so bulbs last longer.
- Neon Lights:
A mixture of inert gas and mercury vapour gives neon lights their bright glow. Different gases or compounds produce different colours. When Argon is added, the light shines lavender.
- Welding:
When metals are welded at high temperatures, they react vigorously with air. The process is shielded from contamination from the atmosphere with an inert gas. Argon is one of the most used shielding gases, and argon-based mixtures serve a similar purpose. We make an argon-carbon dioxide gas mixture at Industrial Gases for shielding applications. It is ideal for cutting carbon steel because it maintains quality and leaves a cleaner finish.
- Heat Treating:
Argon can provide an oxygen- and nitrogen-free environment in heat-treating processes.
- Titanium Fabrication:
As titanium gets fabricated, it’s put in an argon-rich atmosphere to prevent it from reacting with oxygen, carbon dioxide or other gases. Titanium gets a thin oxide coating, which protects it from further oxidation. Cool it down, and you’re good to go!
- Electronics Manufacturing:
The gas’s high density is perfect for removing dust particles from LCD monitors and other electronics.
- Refrigerator Production:
In refrigerators, Argon prevents moisture from condensing on cold surfaces, so food won’t go bad, or ice cream won’t melt as fast.
- Electroplating:
Putting metal in argon gas makes a shiny coating that prevents rust and corrosion.
- Document Preservation:
Documents, manuscripts, and artworks can all be protected with argon gas thanks to their high density. Argon gas is used to preserve the environment around documents instead of oxygen. It is completely inert, so it doesn’t cause organic decay the way oxygen does.
- Dentistry:
With argon gas, bacteria and fungus on teeth can be killed, preventing bad breath and cavities.
- Air Purification:
Since Argon can absorb oxygen, it’s used to purify air. It’s also good at removing carbon dioxide and ozone.
- 3-D Printing:
In printing, Argon stops oxidation and other reactions and can limit stress impact during rapid heating and cooling.
If you’d like to know more, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@gasworld.lk or call us on 011 5 230 467.
The above post is based on Air Source Industries’ article “Everyday Uses of Argon Gas” (21 June 2017), Echemi.com’s “What is Argon Gas Used for in Our Daily Life” (4 July 2022) & Kevin Beck’s “Five Major Uses of Argon” (27 November 2018)