PRODUCTS

Hydrogen (H2) is the lightest of all gases. Colorless, odorless, tasteless and nontoxic, hydrogen exists as a gas at atmospheric temperatures and pressures. It burns a pale blue, almost invisible flame in air. Hydrogen becomes a transparent liquid that is only 1/14th as heavy as water when cooled to its boiling point of – 432 F. This gas diffuses rapidly through some metals at red heat and through porous materials. It is nontoxic, but by displacing oxygen in the air, it can act as an asphyxiant. Liquid hydrogen can produce severe burns similar to thermal burns upon contact with skin and eyes.

In metal fabrication, hydrogen serves as a protective atmosphere in high temperature operations such as stainless steel manufacturing. Hydrogen is commonly mixed with argon for increased travel speed, improved color match and enhanced weld metal fluidity during welding of austenitic grades of stainless steel (300 series). Hydrogen is used as an addition to argon mixtures to improve performance during plasma welding, gouging and cutting operations.