Uses of Industrial Gases in Manufacturing
Industrial gases play a key role in various manufacturing processes. Depending on the industry, they’re used to improve safety, productivity, or product quality. Read more about the uses of industrial gases in this blog.
Argon
Welding and Casting
Argon is one of the most commonly used gases in welding and casting applications. Argon is very nonreactive, making it ideal for use as a shielding gas. Welders use shielding gases to prevent exposure of the molten weld pool to the oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen in the atmosphere; this helps prevent porosity and excessive spatter.
Glass Manufacturing
Glass manufacturers also use argon to fill thermal holes in window panes. Reducing thermal holes helps create a tighter envelope and increases energy efficiency in buildings.
Automotive
Automotive assembly plants use argon in combination with other industrial gases to weld exhaust systems, suspensions, seats, and axles.
Acetylene
Welding
Acetylene has highly flammable characteristics that make it ideal for cutting torches in welding processes. The welding jobs that use acetylene are known as oxy-fuel cutting and require temperatures as high as 5,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Oxy-acetylene welding is an effective technique for soldering filler rods to base metals and melting iron and steel.
Automotive
Automotive manufacturers use acetylene as a carbon source for low-pressure carburizing processes.
Portable Lighting
Acetylene has provided light for portable lamps since the late 19th century. Miners and outdoorsmen still use these carbide lamps.
Blue Flame Plus (Propylene)
Welding
Blue Flame Plus is a high-flame temperature gas that’s well suited for heavy burning and heating jobs.
Plastics
Plastic molders use propylene to produce polypropylene plastics for injection molding.
Carbon Dioxide
Welding
Carbon dioxide is used as a shielding gas to help produce higher welding rates in MIG and MAG welding processes. Cutters prefer carbon dioxide in their operations because it’s an inexpensive gas and provides deep weld penetration, even through thick materials.
Fire Suppression
Carbon dioxide is effective as a fire suppressor because it quickly displaces the oxygen in the atmosphere, preventing the fire from spreading. Manufacturers prefer carbon dioxide suppression systems because they eliminate the risk of water damage and require little clean-up.
Dry Ice Blasting
Manufacturers use dry ice blasting to clean their industrial machines. Dry ice blasting uses compressed air with high-velocity and dry ice pellets to safely blast clean surfaces. Other benefits of this cleaning process include:
- Reduced Downtime: It’s a quick process that increases productivity.
- Safety: It eliminates the need for harmful chemicals and keeps your employees safe.
- Cost Effectiveness: It minimizes equipment clean-up and disposal costs.
Helium
Welding
Welders and cutters use helium with non-ferrous metal and stainless steel because it helps produce a wide penetration profile and works well with thick materials.
Automotive Manufacturing
Helium plays a key role in testing radiator heat exchangers, torque converters, and fuel tanks to make sure they meet industry-standard specifications.
Electronic Manufacturing
Electronic manufacturers use helium to manufacture semiconductors, LCD panels, and fiber optic wires. It functions as a carrier gas in production processes and enhances throughput by quickly cooling parts and components.
Hydrogen
Welding
Hydrogen gas enhances plasma welding and cutting operation in various welding processes. When mixed with argon, it forms a gas shield that protects the welded metal from contaminants.
Metal Fabrication
Metal manufacturers use hydrogen to prevent oxidation during heat treating processes.
Glass Manufacturing
Glass manufacturers use hydrogen in combination with other gases to reduce the atmosphere above the tin bath. This helps prevent oxidation during float glass production.
Nitrogen
Automotive
Compressed nitrogen gas is used with other gases to weld auto parts, frames, and mufflers in the automotive industry.
Plastics
Plastic manufacturers use nitrogen in their gas-assisted injection molding projects. Gas-assisted injection molding is a process that produces large plastic parts that have complex designs. It’s performed by introducing an inert gas at pressure and pushing plastic melts into mold extremities. Some of the benefits of gas-assisted injection molding include:
- Leaves no sink marks
- Reduces part deformation
- Molds thicker products
Metal Fabrication
Nitrogen is a carrier and purge gas that prevents oxidation in steel production and heat-treating processes.
Oxygen
Automotive
The automotive industry uses oxygen as a plasma gas for laser cutting processes. Oxygen also plays a role in the production of automotive coatings.
Glass Manufacturing
Glass manufacturers use oxygen as an industrial gas to improve productivity and enhance combustion in glass furnaces.
Metal Fabrication
Oxygen is an important gas in metal processing jobs and is used to enrich the air in ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Want to learn more about the uses of our industrial gases? Follow the link to read more about the industries we serve.
Our Bulk Delivery for Industrial Gas Manufacturers
Our innovative bulk gas delivery system allows for the continuous use of industrial gas and keeps your operations moving. Gas is delivered directly from our truck to your bulk gas containers and makes managing bulk gas easier than ever. Our innovative delivery system eliminates:
- Cylinder handling
- Product run-outs
- Job-related injuries
CK Supply: A Leading Industrial Gas Manufacturer
CK Supply is Missouri’s largest independent supplier of compressed industrial gases and welding and cutting equipment. We pride ourselves on offering a unique combination of products, services, and technical support. We strive to make things better for our clients every day and achieve that by sticking to our four core values:
- People Oriented: Best honest and respectful towards our clients
- Solutions Focused: Our technicians are knowledgeable and focus on solving problems
- Driven: We’re a hardworking company that’s dedicated to growing your business
- Passionate: Our employees are passionate about what we do and always have a positive attitude
Contact CK Supply today to learn more about the various uses of industrial gases and how our innovative system guarantees an uninterrupted supply.
Illinois Branches Open to Limited Retail Traffic
Effective Monday, June 8th, 2020
Retail operations in Illinois will be reopening with limited access to the front counters ONLY. CK Supply will be following all required and recommended Illinois and city codes.
You and your employees are welcome to enter any of our Illinois & Missouri branch locations, if equipped with a face mask prior and during entry. If you do not have a face mask but would still like to enter, CK will provide a face mask to be worn, as available.
Additional options remain available to those that would not like to enter our Missouri & Illinois branch locations including: Curbside Pickup and Pickup Lockers (Available only in St. Louis & O’Fallon, MO). When utilizing curbside pickup, please pull into marked spots and call the branch location.
St. Louis, MO – (314) 644-3500
O’Fallon, MO – (636) 272-3400
Villa Ridge, MO – (636) 451-2185
O’Fallon, IL – (618) 624-9001
Wood River, IL – (618) 254-4090
Thank you for your continued business and support! Stay safe!
Missouri Branches Open to Limited Retail Traffic
Effective Monday, May 18th, 2020
Retail operations in Missouri will be reopening with limited access to the front counters ONLY. CK Supply will be following all required and recommended Missouri and city codes.
You and your employees are welcome to enter any of our Missouri branch locations, if equipped with a face mask prior and during entry. If you do not have a face mask but would still like to enter, CK will provide a face mask to be worn, as available.
Additional options remain available to those that would not like to enter our Missouri branch locations including: Curbside Pickup and Pickup Lockers (Available in St. Louis & O’Fallon). When utilizing curbside pickup, please pull into marked spots and call the branch location.
Currently, our Illinois branch locations will remain curbside pickup only until local restrictions are lifted.
St. Louis, MO – (314) 644-3500
O’Fallon, MO – (636) 272-3400
Villa Ridge, MO – (636) 451-2185
O’Fallon, IL – (618) 624-9001
Wood River, IL – (618) 254-4090
Thank you for your continued business and support! Stay safe!
New CK Supply Order Pick Up Procedure
Effective Friday, March 27th, 2020 until further notice
At CK Supply, the safety of both our employees and customers are our top priority. In light of the recent Stay at Home ordinances issued in both Missouri and Illinois, we are implementing a curb-side service only for all of our retail stores.
This transaction will be limited to Credit Card Only for our walk-in customers.
Please Call Prior to Arriving. Customers with open charge accounts can call order in and will be able to pick up curb-side also.
New Procedure for Order Pick Up
- Upon arrivals, pull into the loading dock at the store.
- Call the store with your name and the color vehicle you are driving.
- We will bring your order to the dock and review for accuracy.
- Transaction paperwork will be provided.
St. Louis, MO – (314) 644-3500
O’Fallon, MO – (636) 272-3400
Villa Ridge, MO – (636) 451-2185
O’Fallon, IL – (618) 624-9001
Wood River, IL – (618) 254-4090
Thank you for your continued business and support! Stay safe!
Dry Ice Blasting Demo
Registration
2020 AWS Weld Show
UPDATED: Due to the Corona Virus and Based on the current fluid situation as it relates to the Corona Virus we felt that it was in the best interest of all of the members of the AWS and our guests to Cancel the upcoming AWS Weld Show. At this time we do not know if we will reschedule the event for this year. Please continue to follow this Facebook Page for updates. – AWS St. Louis Section 17 Chapter.
For the past 18 years, the American Welding Society-St. Louis Section’s Weld Show has become an important AWS technical function. This annual event is used to promote the science of welding technology, showcase the latest in welding equipment, safety apparel, post-weld testing equipment, plasma cutting, laser welding, positioning equipment, and mechanical cutting systems. Factory representatives will be on hand to provide live demonstrations and offer technical expertise.
March 19th, 2020
5:00PM – 8:00PM
FREE TO ATTEND
THE HIL BAX TECHNICAL CENTER (CK SUPPLY) 5835 MANCHESTER AVENUE – ST. LOUIS, MO – 63110
Food, Drinks, Giveaways, & More!
DON’T FORGET! THE AWS ST. LOUIS SECTION SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE IS MARCH 1ST.MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: WWW.AWSSECTION.ORG/STLOUIS/SCHOLARSHIP
