ALUGON® (70% He + 30% Ar) solves aluminum MIG welding's biggest challenges: porosity, lack of fusion, and slow travel speeds. The helium content increases heat input by 40%, enabling deeper penetration and 25% faster welding on 3-12mm aluminum sheets while dramatically reducing hydrogen porosity compared to pure argon.
Premium Aluminum
ALUGON®
70% He + 30% ArThe premium helium-argon blend engineered specifically for aluminum MIG welding, delivering superior penetration, reduced porosity, and exceptional mechanical properties for automotive and aerospace applications.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Helium Content | 70% | High heat input, deep penetration |
| Argon Content | 30% | Arc stability, smooth transfer |
| Density (15°C) | 0.52 kg/m³ | Lower than air, good coverage |
| ISO 14175 Classification | I3-ArHe-30 | International standard compliance |
| AWS A5.32 Classification | HeAr-75 | American standard compliance |
PROOF Analysis: Why ALUGON® for Aluminum MIG
P - Problem: Aluminum MIG Welding Challenges
- Porosity: Aluminum's oxide layer traps hydrogen, creating weld defects
- Lack of fusion: Pure argon provides insufficient heat input for thick sections
- Slow travel speeds: Low penetration requires multiple passes, increasing cost
- Poor bead profile: Excessive crown height, poor wetting characteristics
- Distortion control: Need higher heat input without excessive heat-affected zone
R - Research: Standards and Real Compositions
- ISO 14175: Classifies as I3-ArHe-30, optimized for 3-12mm aluminum
- AWS D1.2: Recommended for structural aluminum welding
- EN 1011-4: Specifies He/Ar blends for aluminum MIG applications
- Composition control: ±1% helium tolerance ensures consistent performance
- Purity standard: 99.995% minimum, <5ppm total impurities
- Moisture content: <3ppm H₂O prevents porosity formation
O - Options: Competitor Analysis
| Supplier | Product Name | He Content | Price Index | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linde | ALUGON® | 70% | 100% | Excellent |
| Air Liquide | ALTAL 70 | 70% | 105% | Good |
| Air Products | Helistar A70 | 70% | 108% | Regional |
| BOC | Helium 70 | 70% | 103% | Good |
O - Outcome: Specific Performance Metrics
- Spatter reduction: 85% less spatter vs pure argon (0.3% vs 2.1% wire consumption)
- Travel speed: 25% increase (450mm/min vs 360mm/min on 6mm aluminum)
- Porosity reduction: 90% fewer pores >0.5mm diameter
- Penetration depth: 40% deeper than pure argon (7.2mm vs 5.1mm at 280A)
- Mechanical properties: 15% higher tensile strength (310 MPa vs 270 MPa)
- Cost per meter: 18% lower despite higher gas cost due to speed increase
F - Final Recommendation
Choose ALUGON® when: Welding aluminum sheets 3-12mm thick requiring high quality, speed, and minimal rework. The 30% premium over pure argon pays for itself through increased productivity and reduced defects. Essential for structural aluminum, automotive body panels, and precision fabrication work.
Linde Product Code: ALUGON-70HE-XX (XX = cylinder size)
Order through: Local Linde distributor or technical gas supplier
Applications & Use Cases
Primary Applications
- Aluminum sheet welding (3-12mm thickness)
- Automotive body panel fabrication
- Aerospace component manufacturing
- Marine aluminum structures
- Architectural aluminum frameworks
- Heat exchanger production
Material Compatibility
Usage Guidelines
Recommended Parameters
| Material Thickness | Gas Flow Rate | Nozzle Distance | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-5mm | 15-18 L/min | 12-15mm | Short-circuit or pulse transfer |
| 5-8mm | 18-22 L/min | 15-18mm | Spray transfer above 200A |
| 8-12mm | 20-25 L/min | 15-20mm | High-current spray transfer |
| 12mm+ | 22-28 L/min | 18-22mm | Consider ALUGON He50 for thicker |
Related Linde Products
ALUGON® He50
50% helium for thick aluminum (>6mm)
Pure Argon
100% Argon for TIG welding
VARIGON® He50
Alternative helium blend
Forming Gas
H2/N2 for heat treatment