Argon is produced industrially as a byproduct in the production of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen by the fractional distillation of liquid air in a cryogenic air separation unit; a process that separates liquid nitrogen, which boils at 77.3 K, (-320oF, -196oC), from Argon, which boils at 87.302 K, (-185.848 °C,-302.526 °F), and liquid Oxygen, which boils at 90.2 K, (-297oF, -183oC). The name “Argon” is derived from a Greek word meaning “lazy” or “inactive”, as a reference to the fact that the element undergoes almost no chemical reactions.
Argon occurs naturally in air. Argon is the third most common gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, at 0.93% (9,300 ppm), making it approximately 23.7 times as abundant as the
next most common atmospheric gas, Carbon Dioxide (390 ppm), and more than 500 times as abundant as the next most common noble gas, Neon (18 ppm). Argon is the most prevalent of the noble gases in Earth’s crust, with the element composing 0.00015% of this crust. The Earth’s crust and seawater contain 1.2 ppm and 0.45 ppm of Argon, respectively.
Argon has approximately the same solubility in water as oxygen, and is 2.5 times more soluble in water than nitrogen. Argon is colorless, odorless, nonflammable and nontoxic as a solid, liquid, and gas. Argon is chemically inert under most conditions and forms no confirmed stable compounds at room temperature.Although argon is a noble gas, it has been found to have the capability of forming some compounds.
Although argon is non-toxic, it is 38% denser than air and is therefore considered a dangerous asphyxiant in closed areas. Argon’s relatively high density (1.784 g/L in gaseous state and 1.3954 g/cm3 in liquid state) causes it to remain close to the ground during gassing. It is also difficult to detect because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Many incidents published worldwide highlight the dangers of argon tank leakage in confined spaces, and emphasizes the need for proper use, storage and handling.
CATEGORY AND DETAILS
Chemical Name :- Argon
Specification
IS 5760: 1998
Offered Purity
99.999%
Cylinder Colour
Peacock blue
Packaging
The cylinders are available in 7.5 m3 capacity, 150 kg/cm2 pressure, 11m3 at 200 kg/cm2 and 12 m3 at 200 kg/cm2. Portable cryogenic containers
Application
Pure Argon and Argon mixed with various other gases, is used as a shield gas in “TIG”(Tungsten Inert Gas or gas tungsten arc welding) and “MIG”(Metal Inert Gas or gas metal arc welding or wire feed welding ) welding processes of mild & low alloy steels, stainless steel, Al, Cu, Mg, Ni and alloys.
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