Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/17/2025

Is Helium Reactive?

No, helium is not reactive.  WestAir supplies helium across California and Arizona. What Makes Helium Non-Reactive? Helium’s two electrons completely fill its outer shell, creating what chemists call a “duet configuration.” That’s the most stable arrangement an atom can have, so helium has zero reason to gain, lose, or share electrons with anything else. Its …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/16/2025

Is Oxygen Flammable?

No, oxygen is not flammable, but it makes other materials burn much faster and more intensely. WestAir supplies oxygen across California and Arizona. The Science Behind Oxygen and Combustion Oxygen acts as an oxidizer, not a fuel. This means it cannot burn by itself but enables and intensifies combustion. The combustion process requires three elements: …

Nick Vasco | 6 minutes | 04/15/2025

How to Check Compressed Air Quality

The specific process of checking compressed air quality largely depends on the contaminant you’re testing for. Different methods are outlined in the ISO 8573 standard, which suggests the most effective practices. In this guide, we’ll go over different testing methodologies to help you choose the right ones. We’ll then cover the importance of a regular …

Tyler O'Brien | 6 minutes | 04/14/2025

What Is Compressed Air Made Of?

Compressed air is made of largely the same components as atmospheric air: The only difference is that compressed air comes in a more condensed form. Still, the quality and composition of compressed air directly impact equipment performance, product quality, and operational efficiency in industrial settings. This guide explains what makes up compressed air in more …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 04/11/2025

Is Sulfur Hexafluoride Safe?

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is generally considered non-toxic and biologically inert under normal conditions, which makes it safe for many industrial and medical uses. Still, its safety profile changes significantly in certain situations, particularly at high temperatures or concentrations. While the properties of SF6 make it valuable across industries, they also call for specific safety considerations. …

Lawrence Haynes | 2 minutes | 04/10/2025

Recap: 2025 San Diego Beer News Awards

The 2025 San Diego Beer News Awards ceremony showcased the strength of San Diego’s craft beer community under the theme “We’re Stronger Together.” While Seek Beer Co. dominated with six gold awards and took home Champion Brewery honors, one of the evening’s most memorable moments came during the Best Can/Bottle Design category, sponsored by WestAir …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 04/09/2025

What Is Sulfur Hexafluoride Used For?

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is commonly used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage equipment. Other use cases include: This colorless, odorless, non-toxic gas has become indispensable due to its unique properties, and this guide will explain why this is the case. You’ll learn how SF6 is used across industries, after which we’ll touch on its environmental …

Nick Vasco | 5 minutes | 04/07/2025

What Is Liquid CO2 Used For?

Explore the diverse applications of liquid CO2, from food production to chemical manufacturing. Learn how this versatile substance powers various sectors.

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/07/2025

Is Helium Flammable?

No, helium is not flammable. As a noble gas, helium is chemically inert and non-combustible, which makes it one of the safest gases you can work with. It won’t even support combustion in other flammable gases around it. Understanding Helium’s Inert Nature Helium’s unique atomic structure is responsible for its non-flammable nature. As the least …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/07/2025

What Are the Industrial Uses of Carbon Dioxide?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is mainly used in food and beverage production, manufacturing, and healthcare.  Here’s a closer look at what CO₂ actually does once it leaves the cylinder. Food and Beverage: The Fizz Factor and Beyond Food and beverage is one of the largest CO₂ markets.  Every sparkling drink on the shelf is CO₂ at …

Tyler O'Brien | 9 minutes | 04/07/2025

What Gas Is Released in the SMAW Process?

The Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process releases various gases, including: These protective gases are produced by the decomposition of the electrode’s flux coating during welding. They shield the weld pool from atmospheric contamination while enabling a strong, clean weld. Unlike other welding methods that require external gas tanks, SMAW generates its own shielding atmosphere …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 04/04/2025

Argon Gas Medical Uses

Argon gas is used in many medical processes and procedures, from controlling bleeding during surgeries to treating eye conditions. This noble gas has become an indispensable tool in modern medicine due to its outstanding versatility. To explain why this is the case, this article will show you how argon’s unique properties enrich many medical applications. …