Skip to content
Home Blog

Marco Balmer | 5 minutes | 04/17/2025

Is Compressed Air Dangerous?

Yes, compressed air is dangerous and can cause serious injuries and even death when mishandled. The specific hazards range from physical injuries and internal damage to hearing loss and equipment-related accidents. The risks aren’t always obvious until an accident occurs, so proper awareness and safety protocols are essential. To help you avoid incidents, this guide …

Nick Vasco | 5 minutes | 04/17/2025

How is Nitrogen Stored?

Nitrogen is stored as a compressed gas in high-pressure cylinders or as a liquid in cryogenic tanks at −196°C (−320.8°F). Cryogenic tanks are particularly useful for large-scale storage, while cylinders are often used for smaller quantities of nitrogen gas. This guide covers all you need to know about the main nitrogen storage solutions. We’ll cover …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 04/17/2025

Is Helium Reactive?

No, helium is not reactive – it’s a noble gas with a full outer electron shell. Helium’s stable configuration prevents it from forming chemical bonds with other elements under normal conditions. In this guide, you’ll learn more about what makes helium non-reactive. We’ll then cover its main applications, guidelines for safe handling, and environmental interactions. …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 04/16/2025

Is Oxygen Flammable?

No, oxygen is not flammable, but it makes other materials burn much faster and more intensely. This guide explores oxygen’s role in combustion. You’ll also learn how to handle this gas safely across different industrial and medical uses. The Science Behind Oxygen and Combustion Oxygen acts as an oxidizer, not a fuel. This means it …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 04/02/2025

What Gases Are Used in Neon Signs?

Neon signs mainly use neon and argon gases, though mercury can be used to provide a broader range of colors. Whether you’re going for a classic glow or a bold modern effect, this guide will help you choose the right gas for your needs. We’ll break down how each gas influences the color, brightness, and …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 04/01/2025

What Gas is Used in Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) typically uses three gases: nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.  These gases are used in different combinations to extend food shelf life and maintain product quality. In this guide, you’ll learn about different gas mixtures and which products they’re used for. We’ll also cover some lesser-known but important gases, after which you’ll …

Lawrence Haynes | 7 minutes | 04/01/2025

What is Medical Air?

Medical air is a specialized compressed gas used in healthcare settings that offers a clean, breathable gas mixture for various clinical applications. It’s an essential component in modern healthcare facilities, which must meet stringent purity standards for patient treatment and medical devices. In this guide, you’ll learn what medical air is, how it’s produced, and …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 03/28/2025

Medical Air vs Oxygen: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between medical air and oxygen is that medical air mimics atmospheric air composition (21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen), while medical oxygen provides high-purity oxygen (87-100%). This fundamental distinction drives their specific uses in healthcare environments. In this guide, we’ll explain how this one property results in drastically different uses, delivery systems, and other …

Lawrence Haynes | 2 minutes | 03/28/2025

How-To: Never Lose A Cylinder

Cylinder management can be a complex and stressful aspect of operating at any size. At WestAir, we’ve developed the Accurate Cylinder Management (ACM) service to transform this challenge into a streamlined, worry-free process. And Kevin, a driver in national City, has allowed us to tag along to see how everything unfolds behind-the-scenes: Let’s dive into …

Marco Balmer | 5 minutes | 03/27/2025

What is 75/25 Welding Gas?

75/25 welding gas is a shielding gas mixture consisting of 75% argon and 25% carbon dioxide (CO2) that’s widely used in MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding applications. It offers a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness for welding mild steel. The specific ratio offers several advantages over single-component gases while maintaining affordability for regular industrial use. …

Nick Vasco | 6 minutes | 03/26/2025

How Long Does Dry Ice Last When Shipping?

Dry ice typically lasts between 24-72 hours when shipping, depending on: This solid form of carbon dioxide is the preferred cooling method for shipping temperature-sensitive items that need to remain frozen during transit. Whether you’re shipping perishable foods, biological samples, or pharmaceuticals, knowing how long your dry ice will last ensures your products arrive in …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 03/24/2025

MIG Welding Gas Settings: Best Flow Rates & Mixtures

The optimal MIG welding gas flow rate for mild steel indoors with no draft is 10-15 CFH (cubic feet per hour), while other metals and conditions require different settings. Proper gas settings are crucial for creating strong, clean welds without defects like porosity or contamination. Understanding the correct gas flow rates and mixtures for your …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 03/21/2025

What Gas Is Used for Leak Detection?

Helium is the most widely used gas for leak detection in industrial applications, though several other gases can be used depending on specific testing requirements. The choice of gas primarily depends on three factors:  This guide breaks down the most popular leak detection gases based on these criteria. We’ll also discuss the available detection methods …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 03/20/2025

How to Increase the Shelf Life of Food Products

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is the most common way to increase the shelf life of food products, though other methods like cryogenic freezing and high-pressure packaging (HPP) can be used as advanced techniques when MAP does not suffice. This guide will explore the key benefits of different techniques to help you choose the right one. …

Nick Vasco | 5 minutes | 03/20/2025

What Is Nitrogen Purging?

Discover the basics of nitrogen purging: safety benefits, methods, and best practices to follow. Learn how to approach the purging process safely.

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 03/20/2025

How Cold is Liquid Nitrogen?

The temperature of liquid nitrogen is -196°C (-321°F) at its boiling point. For reference, -89.2°C is the coldest temperature ever recorded at ground level on Earth!  (In Antarctica, unsurprisingly.) Liquid nitrogen’s extremely low temperature makes it one of the most commonly used cryogenic fluids in various industrial and medical processes, from freeze-grinding materials to preserving …