Industrial gases are the invisible backbone of modern manufacturing, fabrication, and food production. From the argon shielding a TIG weld to the nitrogen preserving packaged food, these gases enable processes that would otherwise be impossible.

This guide covers the main industrial gases, their properties, and how they’re used across different industries. Whether you’re specifying gas for a new process or simply want to understand what you’re working with, this is your starting point.

Table of Contents

1. What Are Industrial Gases?
2. The Main Industrial Gases
   • Argon
   • Oxygen
   • Nitrogen
   • Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
   • Acetylene
   • Helium
3. Industrial Gas Applications by Industry
4. Choosing the Right Gas
5. How Industrial Gases Are Supplied
6. Safety Considerations
7. Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Industrial Gases?

Industrial gases are gaseous materials manufactured for use in industrial processes. They include both atmospheric gases (extracted from air) and synthetic gases (produced through chemical processes).

These gases serve many functions:

• Shielding – protecting molten metal from atmospheric contamination during welding
• Cutting – enabling oxy-fuel cutting processes
• Inerting – displacing oxygen to prevent oxidation or combustion
• Processing – serving as raw materials or process enablers in manufacturing
• Preservation – extending shelf life in food packaging
• Dispensing – propelling beverages in hospitality settings

The global industrial gas market is substantial because virtually every manufacturing sector depends on one or more of these gases.

The Main Industrial Gases

Argon (Ar)

Properties: Argon is an inert (non-reactive) gas that makes up about 0.93% of Earth’s atmosphere. It’s colourless, odourless, and chemically stable.

Primary Uses:

• TIG Welding – Pure argon is the standard shielding gas for TIG (GTAW) welding of most metals
• MIG Welding – Argon-based mixes are used for MIG welding aluminium and stainless steel
• Metal Production – Provides inert atmosphere in steel manufacturing
• Electronics – Used in semiconductor production
• Lighting – Fills incandescent and fluorescent bulbs

Supply Formats: Single 50L cylinders, multi-cylinder packs, bulk liquid supply

Oxygen (O2)

Properties: Oxygen is a reactive gas essential for combustion. It makes up approximately 21% of atmospheric air.

Primary Uses:

• Oxy-Fuel Cutting – Supports the combustion of steel in cutting processes
• Oxy-Fuel Welding – Combined with acetylene for welding and brazing
• Medical – Healthcare applications (medical-grade oxygen)
• Wastewater Treatment – Aeration in treatment processes
• Metal Production – Steel manufacturing and refining

Supply Formats: Single cylinders, multi-cylinder packs, bulk liquid supply

Safety Note: Oxygen is not flammable itself but strongly supports combustion. Materials that wouldn’t normally burn can ignite in oxygen-enriched environments.

Nitrogen (N2)

Properties: Nitrogen is an inert gas making up about 78% of atmospheric air. It’s non-reactive under normal conditions.

Primary Uses:

• Purging & Blanketing – Displacing oxygen in pipelines, tanks, and process equipment
• Food Packaging – Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) to extend shelf life
• Beverage Dispensing – Propelling stout and nitrogenated beers
• Electronics Manufacturing – Providing inert atmosphere for soldering
• Tyre Inflation – Maintaining consistent pressure in aircraft and racing tyres
• Cryogenic Applications – Liquid nitrogen for freezing and cooling

Supply Formats: Single cylinders, multi-cylinder packs, bulk liquid supply

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Properties: CO2 is a colourless gas with a slightly acidic taste when dissolved in water (creating carbonic acid). It’s denser than air.

Primary Uses:

• Beverage Carbonation – Adding fizz to soft drinks, beer, and cider
• Beverage Dispensing – Propelling drinks through dispense systems
• MIG Welding – Pure CO2 or argon/CO2 mixes for welding mild steel
• Food Preservation – Modified atmosphere packaging
• Fire Suppression – CO2 extinguishers and suppression systems
• Greenhouses – Enriching atmosphere for plant growth

Grades:

• Industrial grade – welding, general industrial use
• Food grade – beverage carbonation, food contact applications

Supply Formats: Single cylinders, multi-cylinder packs, bulk liquid supply

Acetylene (C2H2)

Properties: Acetylene is a highly flammable hydrocarbon gas. It produces the hottest flame of any common fuel gas when combined with oxygen.

Primary Uses:

• Oxy-Acetylene Welding – Traditional fusion welding of steel
• Oxy-Acetylene Cutting – Heating metal to ignition temperature for cutting
• Brazing & Soldering – High-temperature joining processes
• Flame Hardening – Surface treatment of metals

Safety Note: Acetylene is unstable under pressure and must be stored in special cylinders containing a porous mass and acetone. It should never be used above 1.5 bar pressure.

Supply Formats: Specially designed cylinders (not interchangeable with other gas cylinders)

Helium (He)

Properties: Helium is the second lightest element—an inert gas that remains liquid at temperatures close to absolute zero.

Primary Uses:

• TIG Welding – Helium or argon/helium mixes for specific applications
• Leak Detection – Its small molecular size makes it ideal for finding leaks
• Cryogenics – Cooling superconducting magnets (MRI machines, particle accelerators)
• Balloons & Airships – Lighter-than-air applications
• Diving – Heliox mixtures for deep diving

Supply Formats: Single cylinders, bulk supply (for high-volume users)

Industrial Gas Applications by Industry

Welding & Fabrication

Manufacturing & Engineering

Food & Beverage

Hospitality

Choosing the Right Gas

Selecting the correct gas depends on:

1. The Process – What are you trying to achieve?
2. The Material – What metal or product are you working with?
3. Quality Requirements – What finish or result do you need?
4. Volume – How much will you use?
5. Cost – What’s the most economical option that meets your requirements?

Welding Gas Selection Quick Guide

How Industrial Gases Are Supplied

Single Cylinders Standard 50L cylinders for workshops and smaller operations. Portable, widely available, suited to moderate consumption.

Multi-Cylinder Packs (MCPs) Multiple cylinders manifolded together—typically 9, 12, or 16 cylinders. Reduces changeover frequency for higher-volume users.

Cylinder Banks Large-scale cylinder installations for manufacturing and continuous operations. Often palletised and connected to fixed supply lines.

Bulk Liquid For very high-volume users, gases are delivered as cryogenic liquids in bulk tankers and stored on-site in vacuum-insulated tanks.

Safety Considerations

Industrial gases require respect and proper handling:

• Storage: Cylinders should be stored upright, secured, and away from heat sources
• Ventilation: Use gases in well-ventilated areas—inert gases can displace oxygen
• Training: Personnel should understand the gases they’re working with
• PPE: Use appropriate personal protective equipment
• Regulators: Use the correct regulator for each gas type
• Inspection: Check cylinders and equipment regularly for damage

Always refer to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for specific handling requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between industrial and food-grade gas? Food-grade gases are produced to higher purity standards and certified for contact with food and beverages. Industrial-grade gases are suitable for welding, manufacturing, and other non-food applications.

How long does a 50L gas cylinder last? It depends on your usage. A 50L argon cylinder at 200 bar contains approximately 10m³ of gas. At a typical TIG welding flow rate of 8-10 L/min, that’s roughly 15-20 hours of welding time.

Can I use CO2 for TIG welding? No. CO2 is not suitable for TIG welding as it’s an active gas that will contaminate the weld. TIG welding requires inert gases—typically pure argon.

What does the colour of a gas cylinder mean? In the UK, cylinder colours follow a standard code: grey shoulder for CO2, dark green for argon, black for nitrogen, white for oxygen. However, always check the label—colour coding can vary between suppliers.

Is argon dangerous? Argon is non-toxic and non-flammable, but as an inert gas, it can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. Always use argon in well-ventilated areas and never enter confined spaces where argon may have accumulated without proper safety measures.

Summary

Industrial gases serve essential functions across manufacturing, fabrication, food production, and hospitality. Understanding their properties and applications helps you select the right gas for your process and use it safely.

For specific gas requirements or supply enquiries, contact Industrial Gases UK for guidance and quotes.

Related Articles:

• MIG Welding Gas Settings: Complete Setup Guide
• TIG Welding Gas Guide: Flow Rates, Types & Best Practices
• Gas Cylinder Safety: Storage, Handling & Best Practices