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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 | 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

How to Increase Nitrogen in Soil

You can increase nitrogen in soil through various methods, with organic matter addition and specialized nitrogen-rich products being the most effective. In this guide, we’ll explain these two methods in more detail and discuss a few other effective approaches you should try. Tip: Check out WestAir’s nitrogen services. The Power of Organic Matter: Nature’s Nitrogen …

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 …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 01/29/2025

What Gases Are Used in Hospitals?

Hospitals mainly use six essential gases: Each of these gases plays a crucial role in modern healthcare, from basic patient care to complex surgical procedures. In this guide, we’ll discuss their key applications, after which you’ll learn about the safety requirements and protocols to follow. Life-Saving Oxygen and Its Critical Applications Oxygen is the most …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 01/29/2025

What Is Xenon Gas Used For?

Xenon gas is mainly used in lighting, medical procedures, space propulsion, and specialized industrial applications. This versatile noble gas has become increasingly important across various sectors due to its unique properties and reliability. In this guide, you’ll discover the key uses of xenon in more detail, as well as the specific properties that make this …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 01/28/2025

What Is Gasless MIG Welding?

Gasless MIG welding, also known as Self-Shielded Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW-S), is a welding process that eliminates the need for external shielding gas by using a special flux-cored wire that creates its own protective shield when heated. This innovative welding method has become increasingly popular among both professionals and DIY enthusiasts for its portability and …