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Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 04/02/2026

Can You Smell CO2?

No, you cannot smell CO₂. Carbon dioxide is completely odorless, colorless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect with your senses alone. This creates problems in industrial settings where CO₂ leaks can go unnoticed until it’s too late. Understanding why CO₂ lacks a smell and how to safely work around it matters for anyone handling …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 03/19/2026

How Hot Does Acetylene Burn?

Acetylene burns at approximately 3,480°C (6,300°F) when combined with pure oxygen, producing the hottest flame of any commonly used fuel gas. This extreme temperature makes acetylene the go-to choice for welding, cutting, and metalworking applications where you need serious heat concentrated in a precise location. The flame temperature drops to around 2,400°C (4,350°F) when acetylene …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 03/09/2026

Interesting Facts about Dry Ice

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide that skips the liquid phase entirely and transforms directly from solid to gas at -78.5°C (-109.3°F). It has become essential across industries, from pharmaceutical shipping to food preservation and theatrical effects. Why Is It Called “Dry” Ice? Dry ice earned its name because it never becomes wet. Unlike regular …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 03/04/2026

Is Neon a Noble Gas?

Yes, neon is a noble gas. Why Is Neon a Noble Gas? Neon is a noble gas because its outer electron shell is completely full, giving it zero chemical motivation to bond with other elements. Its electron configuration is 1s²2s²2p⁶, meaning all 10 electrons are locked into stable, filled orbitals. This is what chemists call …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 02/10/2025

Is Carbon Dioxide Toxic?

Carbon dioxide can become toxic at elevated concentrations, though it’s generally safe at normal atmospheric levels. The toxicity of CO2 mainly depends on its concentration and exposure duration. This guide breaks down carbon dioxide toxicity levels to highlight those at which the gas can be hazardous. We’ll also cover the main industrial applications of CO2 …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 02/07/2025

What Is Inerting?

Inerting is a safety process where inert gases are introduced into confined spaces to displace oxygen and prevent unwanted combustion or explosive reactions. This vital procedure helps maintain safety across various industries, from aviation to chemical processing. In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about inerting: The Fundamentals of Inerting and Why …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 02/06/2025

What Is Nitrogen Blanketing?

Nitrogen blanketing (also known as tank blanketing or tank padding) is a critical industrial process where nitrogen gas fills the empty space above liquids in storage tanks to prevent contamination and maintain product quality. To help you understand how this process works and what makes it so important, this guide will cover all you need …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 02/06/2025

What Is Argon Used for in Welding?

Argon is primarily used as a shielding gas in welding to protect the weld pool from atmospheric contamination and ensure clean, strong, and high-quality welds. To help you get the most out of this staple welding gas, this guide will cover: The Critical Role of Argon as a Shielding Gas In welding, argon is your …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 02/05/2025

Is Argon an Inert Gas?

Argon is an inert gas that belongs to the noble gas family. Its unique properties and lack of reactivity make it invaluable for various industrial and commercial applications. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what makes argon so special besides its inert nature. We’ll also cover some key safety considerations and the importance of opting …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 02/05/2025

Is Argon Flammable?

No, argon is not flammable. As a noble gas, it’s chemically inert and won’t support combustion under normal circumstances. This property makes argon invaluable in many industrial applications. In this guide, we’ll explain why this is the case and how argon is used across industries. You’ll then learn about the key safety best practices to …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 02/04/2025

What Is Nitrogen Fixation?

Nitrogen fixation is the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds that plants and organisms can use. It’s what makes gardens thrive and helps farmers maintain healthy crops. In this guide, we’ll show you how nitrogen fixation works and discuss its main types. You’ll then learn about the role of this process in different industries, …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 02/03/2025

Is Nitrogen a Greenhouse Gas?

Pure nitrogen (N2) is not a greenhouse gas, but certain nitrogen compounds like nitrous oxide (N2O) are among the most potent greenhouse gases affecting our climate today. In this guide, we draw a line between different nitrogen compounds to explain their impact on the environment. We’ll also discuss how different industrial processes affect the climate …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 02/03/2025

What Is Dry Ice Blasting Used For?

Dry ice blasting is a cleaning method that uses compressed air and solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) pellets to clean various surfaces and equipment. Thanks to its versatility, this process found its way to many industries, and this guide explores its main use cases. You’ll then learn about the key environmental and safety benefits that …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 01/31/2025

What Is the Mix for Shielding Gases?

The most common shielding gas mixture for welding is 75% argon and 25% carbon dioxide (CO2). But there’s more to the story when it comes to effective gas combinations. In this guide, we explore different shielding gas mixtures to show you some popular options. We’ll then discuss the main factors to consider when finding the …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 01/31/2025

What Is Cryotherapy and What Materials Are Used for It?

Cryotherapy is a medical treatment that uses extremely cold temperatures to treat various conditions. It mainly relies on gases (that are in their liquid or solid state at low temperatures) like liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide. In this guide, we’ll cover the basic mechanism behind cryotherapy and discuss these fluids and solids in …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 01/30/2025

What Is Plasma Cutting and What Gases Are Used for It?

Plasma cutting is a precision metal-cutting process that uses a high-velocity jet of ionized gas (plasma) to cut through electrically conductive materials. It relies on specific gases to create the plasma arc and achieve clean, precise cuts across various metals and thicknesses. This guide explores the basics of plasma cutting technology and common gases involved …