Argon/carbon dioxide blends are versatile mixtures for welding Carbon, Low-Alloy and some Stainless Steels. Increasing the CO2 content will increase weld penetration and bead wetting characteristics. At higher current levels and CO2 content, increased spatter may result. Ar/CO2 blends can be used to join a wide range of material thickness while utilizing a variety of modes of metal transfer.

Principal Applications Ar/CO2 blends are used for all kinds of structural steel, farm implements and machinery. Lower levels of CO2 can be used for pulsed arc or spray arc welding, while higher levels > 20% are used for short arc welding and the shielding of some flux-cored wires.

ARGON 95% - 5% Co2
This blend is used for pulsed spray transfer and short-circuiting transfer on a variety of material thicknesses. A 5% mixture may be used for GMAW-P of Low Alloy Steels for out-of-position welding. The arc forces that develop give this mixture more tolerance to mill scale and a more controllable puddle than an argon-oxygen blend.

ARGON 90% - 10% Co2 **GREAT CHOICE FOR SPRAY-TRANSFERING MILD STEEL**
This blend performs similarly to the 5% blend, but with increased heat input providing a wider, more fluid weld puddle in either short-circuit or spray transfer.

ARGON 85% - 15% Co2
This blend has been used for a variety of applications on Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels. In the short-circuit mode of transfer, maximum productivity on thin gauge metals can be achieved with this blend. This is done by minimizing the excessive melt-through tendency of higher carbon dioxide mixes, while increasing deposition rates and travel speeds. As the carbon dioxide percentages are lowered from the 20% range (maximum spray arc levels), improvements in deposition efficiency occur due to decreasing spatter loss. This blend will support the spray arc mode of transfer.

ARGON 80% - 20% Co2
May be used for short circuiting or spray transfer welding of Carbon Steel.

ARGON 75% - 25% Co2 **GREAT CHOICE FOR SHORT-CIRCUITING MILD STEEL**
This blend is commonly used for GMAW with short-circuiting transfer on Low Carbon Steel. It was formulated to provide optimum droplet frequency on short-circuiting transfer using .035 and .045 diameter wire. This blend operates well in high current applications on heavy base metal. It promotes good arc stability, weld pool control, and weld bead appearance. This blend will not support the spray type mode of metal transfer.