Lawrence Haynes | 8 minutes | 07/22/2026

What Is Neon Used For?

Neon is used in signs and lighting, high-voltage indicators, cryogenic refrigeration, deep-sea diving equipment, laser systems, semiconductor manufacturing, and emerging technologies like quantum computing and aerospace. Most people hear “neon” and picture a buzzing bar sign. Fair enough. That’s the famous one. But neon does so much more than that.  WestAir supplies neon across California …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/20/2026

What Is Medical Grade CO2?

Medical grade CO₂ is carbon dioxide gas that’s been purified to meet USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards for use in clinical and healthcare settings. It’s held to a much tighter purity spec than the CO₂ used in industrial applications, and that difference matters more than many people realize. If you’re sourcing gas for a hospital, …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 07/16/2026

Is Krypton Rare?

Yes, krypton is rare. It makes up about 1.14 parts per million of air by volume, or roughly one krypton atom for every million molecules of air around it. That works out to 0.0001% of the atmosphere. It isn’t the rarest gas on Earth, though. Xenon is scarcer, at about 0.087 parts per million, which …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 07/16/2026

Why Is Nitrogen Used in the Pharmaceutical Industry?

Nitrogen is used across pharmaceutical manufacturing because it keeps oxygen and moisture away from drugs that degrade on contact with either. It shields reactions, clears equipment, fills the space above a sealed dose, and freezes biological material for storage. This one gas covers all of it, which is why it shows up at nearly every …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 07/16/2026

What Is Helium? The Complete Guide to the Element and Its Uses

Helium is a colorless, odorless gas with the chemical symbol He and atomic number 2. It’s the lightest of the noble gases and the second-lightest element overall, sitting right after hydrogen. Helium is completely inert and colder as a liquid than anything else in existence, which is why it turns up in medical scanners, leak-testing …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/16/2026

Can You MIG Weld Without Gas?

Yes, you can MIG weld without gas, but not by running standard solid wire with the gas turned off. That gives you weak, porous welds every time. Real gasless MIG welding means switching to self-shielded flux-cored wire, which carries its own shielding inside the wire and doesn’t require a separate gas cylinder. WestAir supplies gas …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 07/16/2026

How Long Do Neon Signs Last?

Neon signs typically last 8 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance. The signs that hit 15 years aren’t built from magic glass. They’re well-supplied and well-maintained, and both of those things are under your control. WestAir supplies neon across California and Arizona. What Actually Determines a Neon Sign’s Lifespan? Gas purity, electrode quality, …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/16/2026

Why Is Liquid Hydrogen Used as Rocket Fuel?

Liquid hydrogen (LH₂) is used as rocket fuel because it delivers the highest specific impulse (Isp) of any practical chemical rocket fuel, producing more thrust per pound burned than any other option. Paired with liquid oxygen as the oxidizer, it powers upper stages and deep-space missions where every pound of fuel counts. WestAir supplies liquid …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/15/2026

What Is Beverage Grade CO2?

Beverage grade CO₂ is carbon dioxide purified to meet strict food safety standards, making it safe to carbonate sodas, beer, seltzer, and other drinks people consume directly. Unlike industrial CO₂ used for welding shields or dry ice blasting, beverage grade CO₂ has to meet specifications set out in the ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists) …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/13/2026

What Gases Are Used in Laboratories?

Laboratories rely on nitrogen, helium, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide to keep research, testing, and analysis running smoothly. They each serve a specific purpose depending on the equipment and application. Why Is Nitrogen the Workhorse Gas in Most Labs? Nitrogen is the most commonly used gas in laboratories because it’s inert, affordable, and incredibly versatile. …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/10/2026

Liquid Nitrogen Dewar Sizes: Choosing the Right Size for Your Application

The right liquid nitrogen (LN₂) dewar size comes down to two things: how much LN₂ your operation actually goes through, and how much room you have for the container. Most lab and medical dewars run from about 4 liters up to 50 liters, and choosing within that range is mostly a matter of matching capacity …

Lawrence Haynes | 7 minutes | 07/09/2026

CO₂ Grades Explained

A CO₂ grade is a certified minimum purity level with capped limits on specific impurities, set by a governing standard and matched to how the gas will be used. The grade tells you what’s guaranteed to be in the cylinder and, just as importantly, what’s guaranteed to be kept out. Why Does Using the Right …