A Reliable Supply of Argon for Your Fabrication and Manufacturing Needs

In aluminum and copper production, argon is used for degassing and stirring molten metal. The argon removes dissolved gases like nitrogen and hydrogen that can create impurities that could weaken the final product. It provides increased temperature control throughout the furnace and prevents unwanted oxidation during the refining and alloying stages.

In titanium production, argon is used in the Kroll Process, Vacuum Arc Remelting, refining and casting to prevent oxidation and any contamination.

Argon is also used in magnesium and other rare earth metals production during melting and casting to prevent oxidation and maintain an inert environment for these highly reactive and flammable metals.

In carbon and alloy steelmaking, argon is injected at bottom of an Electric Arc Furnace (EAFs) and Basic Oxygen Furnaces (BOFs) to help to improve alloy homogeneity, improve energy efficiency, and reduce the content of unwanted gases in molten steel. It’s used to stir the bath and prevent oxidation, which results in stronger, cleaner, and more consistent steel products.

High-carbon molten steel is transferred to the Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) converter, where argon is used to refine the steel by removing carbon while preserving chromium and other valuable elements before further processing.

Argon creates a protective, oxygen-free atmosphere during heat treatment processes like annealing and sintering. This prevents surface oxidation, preserves material properties, and enhances the overall quality and consistency of treated parts, particularly in sensitive alloys and high-performance components.

It is especially important for alloys with high chromium or cobalt content, such as stainless steels, nickel-based alloys, and cobalt-chrome (CoCr) alloys. Chromium can react with nitrogen at high temperatures to form nitrides that can negatively impact corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.

Powdered metals like titanium and nickel are used to create parts for sintering, HIPing, 3D printing, and thermal spraying. Gas atomization is a process where the molten metal is injected through a high-velocity gas jet (usually using argon) that creates droplets that solidify into tiny, spherical metal particles. Argon is used to prevent oxidation in this high-temperature environment.

Argon is the preferred pressurizing medium in HIP vessel because it remains inert even at high temperatures and pressures. It applies uniform pressure in all directions, around complex metal or ceramic parts, and achieves superior strength and durability.

Argon provides the inert atmosphere essential for producing high-quality parts in 3D printing. It protects molten metal from oxidation during powder bed fusion, ensures consistent powder quality during production, and supports post-print heat treatment to preserve material properties and finish. Messer’s ASURE3D™ solutions optimize these processes with reliable, high-purity argon delivery.

While nitrogen is commonly used for inerting in most chemical industries, argon is the preferred choice in situations where nitrogen’s slight reactivity is unacceptable. In specialty chemical production, research environments, and high-purity processes, argon provides an ultra-inert, oxygen-free atmosphere to protect sensitive materials that can result in the highest product quality.

In electronics and semiconductor production, argon provides precise, contamination-free environments for processes like plasma etching, ion implantation, and annealing. Its inert nature and consistent quality help manufacturers achieve tight tolerances and high yields in complex microelectronics.