I called the only welding supply house in my town today and they told me they could not supply me with argon. When I asked when they would get more, I was told a date could not be given and to call back in 7 to 10 days. This is in north Alabama. Has anyone else had trouble getting argon for their welder?
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Is there an Argon shortage??
- Thread starter HotRodMan
- Start date
RWorth
Well-known member
filled 2 months ago with no issue. Not sure about now.
rlitman
Well-known member
Argon comes from the atmosphere. We're not running out (helium is a different story), but I could imagine a regional issue perhaps.
A couple of the larger weld gas production facilities were affected by the hurricanes earlier this year. I was warned by my Airgas rep that there might be problems getting argon, but that was a few months ago. Maybe there was enough surplus in the system that all the excess has now been consumed and effects of the hurricanes are now being felt? We haven't had any issues though...
Dennis Leigh Henry
Well-known member
I'll make time during vacation time to hit up the local shop where my welding prof works and see what his tea leaves tell us......
firebirdparts
Well-known member
Argon is a side product of liquid air distillation, which is very common. The Argon is worth more than the oxygen and nitrogen, so they're happy to get it.
As stated, nothing affects the supply of Argon globally and probably nothing ever will.
As stated, nothing affects the supply of Argon globally and probably nothing ever will.
Lelandwelds
Well-known member
Argon is a side product of liquid air distillation, which is very common. The Argon is worth more than the oxygen and nitrogen, so they're happy to get it.
As stated, nothing affects the supply of Argon globally and probably nothing ever will.
More accurately, it is a production problem. An air separation plant can locate anywhere. The best locations are where the electricity is cheap and the customers are close. Gulf Coast is one of the biggies and hurricanes did some damage.
Also, sometimes a plant has problem getting the last bit of nitrogen or oxygen out due to contaminated molecular sieves or some other maintenance problem. ( Just a few PPM will make it unusable for welding. Window companies can use really dirty argon.)
Often "argon shortage" is like "check is in the mail" when theyre selling it faster than they can get deliveries.
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CraigStu
Well-known member
I just exchanged my bottle on Monday. He only had one on hand and I got it. He didn't mention any shortage but we didn't talk a lot either.
Iroc-Z
Well-known member
I think there might be a shortage. I follow stainless works on face book and those guys won't back purge anything when burning headers together. Could almost taste the sugar.
Helium is the gas there is a shortage on (supposedly). It can't be manufactured. Argon is just an air filtration process and its in everything from ground, groudn water, and the air you breath so I am unsure how there could be a shortage. If someone was not purging their welds its because they are cheap or did not have a chance or time to fill their tank...