Argon, CO2 and Oxygen mix to increase fluidity and decrease welding fumes?

[Achilies]

Hi guys,

I am planning to MIG weld some carbon steel profiles but I would like to increase fluidity, decrease travel speed and decrease the welding fumes if that is possible.

I did a lot of research on the welding gasses and compared them quite a lot. But I have never been a real know it all when it comes to the welding gases.. So even after a lot of reading, I am still unsure so I have to ask here about my dilemmas..

I read here about the Argon, CO2, Oxygen mix https://weldingpros.net/types-of-welding-gases/ and at first, I was flabbergasted when I realized that I never gave it any thought that you could simply add Oxygen to the mix and increase the fluidity and the travel speed.

But then on some other sources on the internet and namely some forums (not to link them here) I saw that some people say that this mixture will increase the welding fumes and since I will be welding in my garage I don't like that at all. The garage door will be open but I still don't like that.

However, I also read on some sites that this mixture will actually DECREASE the welding fumes so I am now at the crossroads.. I am lost as a wondering stray puppy looking for the feeding hand.. So please help me figure out this dilemma because my real life welding friends didn't have experience with this specific mixture as they usually used only Argon or C02 or its mixtures..

Did you ever use this mixture and in which percentages? What were your results and did you have increased or reduced welding fumes?

Thank you everyone in advance!

[MAC702]

I've used various mixtures over the years, including some with 2% O2. I find it hard to believe there is any serious amount of welding you can do in a garage that will have you notice ANY significant differences in production or fumes. You are far more likely to care about which gas you can get for the best value, either an argon/CO2 mix or pure CO2.

[Northweldor]

I've used various mixtures over the years, including some with 2% O2. I find it hard to believe there is any serious amount of welding you can do in a garage that will have you notice ANY significant differences in production or fumes. You are far more likely to care about which gas you can get for the best value, either an argon/CO2 mix or pure CO2.

I agree, and it is not likely that mixed welding gas selection is going to have much effect on welding carbon steel that will be detectable by the average hobby weldor.

What are you trying to do, that you need to "... MIG weld some carbon steel profiles but I would like to increase fluidity, decrease travel speed and decrease the welding fumes if that is possible." ?

Seems like you have a ventilation problem.

In reference to the blog you referenced, here is Ed Craig's opinion:

"THE PURCHASE OF THREE PART GAS MIXES AND METAL CORED WIRES ARE ALSO OFTEN INFLUENCED BY SALES BOVINE FECAL MATTER: While some metal cored wires that contain alloys may be beneficial for high strength applications, when welding low carbon steels. I never saw a metal cored weld I could not replicate with a lower cost MIG wire. As for those three part MIG gas mixes, as a key writer of the AWS MIG Shielding Gas Specifications, I would like to inform any weld shop that over the last four decades purchased a three part MIG gas mix for steels and alloy steel welds, that the costly three part MIG gas mixes were never necessary and the reality of adding oxygen in a gas mix created more negative attributes to a weld than benefits. I will admit however that both the metal cored wires and three part gas mixes were always a good tool for the weld distributors to attain gas business in weld shops that lacked the ability for MIG weld process ownership."
Ed Craig - Weld Reality

Ed Craig is a welding engineer with over 50 years of experience.

[gatemaker]

On bare steel I don't think you are going to see any difference in fumes. Is the steel bare or oiled? Shouldn't be much in the way of fumes.