Argon-Helium Shielding Gas Mixture
A binary gas mixture combining the good ignition properties of Argon with the high thermal conductivity of Helium. This results in a deeper penetration profile and increased arc voltage for highly conductive base materials.
You mainly use argon-helium mixtures when you want to weld thick aluminum parts or when you have to deal with hard-to-reach spots. The helium makes the arc hotter and the heat is transferred better into the workpiece, giving you deeper penetration and faster progress. The argon content ensures the arc remains stable and ignites cleanly. Just be careful that the mixture doesn't have too much helium, otherwise the arc becomes too soft and unstable, and you'll quickly burn through the material. For normal steel welding, you don't need this mixture; pure argon or a CO₂ mix is enough.