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

What Is the Temperature of 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 …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 03/19/2025

What Is a Tracer Gas?

A tracer gas is a specialized gas used in non-destructive testing to detect leaks and evaluate airflow patterns in different systems and environments. It’s essential for maintaining safety, efficiency, and quality control across industries. This guide will teach you all you need to know about tracer gases, most notably: Tip: Check out WestAir’s gas safety solutions. Understanding …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 03/18/2025

Is Nitrogen Flammable (And How To Handle It Safely)?

Learn whether nitrogen is flammable and discover its main industrial uses and key safety practices. Explore nitrogen’s key plant and pipeline applications.

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 03/18/2025

How Does a Helium Leak Detector Work?

A helium leak detector uses mass spectrometry to identify and measure helium gas escaping from system leaks. This precise technology can detect extremely small leaks by analyzing the presence of helium atoms, which makes it invaluable across industries. This guide explores the cutting-edge mechanism behind helium leak detection to explain precisely how it works. You’ll …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 03/17/2025

What is Isobutylene Used For?

Isobutylene is widely used in polymer production, fuel additives, and chemical manufacturing. This colorless, flammable hydrocarbon is crucial for creating many everyday products. In this guide, we explore the key uses of isobutylene on a deeper level. You’ll learn precisely how this gas is used and why it’s such a good choice for various applications. …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 03/14/2025

What Is Nitric Oxide Used For?

Nitric oxide is used extensively in medical treatments, industrial processes, and scientific research. Its specific applications range from treating respiratory conditions to enhancing manufacturing processes. To help you familiarize yourself with the many use cases of this versatile gas, our article will break them down in more detail. We’ll also discuss the key safety guidelines …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 03/13/2025

How to Measure Carbonation in Beer

Measuring carbonation in beer involves determining the volume of dissolved carbon dioxide compared to the volume of liquid beer, typically expressed as volumes of CO2. This process requires specialized equipment and an understanding of basic scientific principles, which you’ll learn about in this guide. We’ll cover both the common and advanced methods so that you …