Welding Journal

Q: What shielding gas is the most appropriate to use when arc welding aluminum? I have been told by some that I should use pure argon and by others that helium is the best. I plan on using the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) processes. Can I use the same shielding gas for each process, and if so, what should it be?

A: There are two shielding gases commonly used for arc welding aluminum, and they are argon and helium. These gases are used as pu..