Bad Argon? Fixed and it is bad.
 

I recently swapped out a bottle of Argon. I have had nothing but dull contaminated welds since I have swapped it. This is all TIG. Stainless Steel 304l fittings that I have been welding for 5 years. THis is a first. No matter what I try the welds are dark in color resembling being way too hot. The tip of the tungsten gets a raised black ring almost at the tip after welding an inch or 2.

I checked the torch for leaks and there are none.

I have tried anywhere from 15 to 30 cf of flow

I changed out the tungsten 3 times and I use a tungsten sharpener.

So, I am stuck thinking its the argon. The gas shop is closed today.....

Re: Bad Argon?
 

did you change your filler? need to replace your gas lense?

Re: Bad Argon?
 

Filler is the same 10 lbs batch I had. I have another gas lens and will try that today since I can't swap the bottle.

Re: Bad Argon?
 

sure its not a 25/75 mix? sometimes the shops accidently give us mix'ed bottles intended for the mig

Re: Bad Argon?
 

accidentally gave you a bottle of 95-5 or a tri-mix

Re: Bad Argon?
 

I been having this problem for three weeks now.

I changed the bottle once.

Changed the torch.

Changed the tungsten.

Changed the regulator.

Changed the regulator hose.

Still no help. So im going back and get another bottle.

Try welding aluminum and see how bad its going to turn out.

Re: Bad Argon?
 

Anything is possible but the bottle is marked correctly.

Re: Bad Argon?
 

so is the bottle that I got. But you never know what they put in it, or how it got contaminated.

Re: Bad Argon?
 

the bottle could have moister in it this could happen by the previous customer leaving the empty bottle outside with the valve open and it raining and ----...what company do you get your gas from??

Re: Bad Argon?
 

funny that i read this, as we have had the same problem at work with our last tanks. we have tried everything, changing tungsten, gas lense, even looked for a leak..

it sucks thats for sure.