Glove box for titanium welding

Titanium is a reactive metal. Once it gets hot, it attracts oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen from the air and becomes brittle and crack-prone. The glove box ensures that the weld zone is in a protective atmosphere of argon or helium, keeping it metallically clean. Without this protection, a hard, brittle layer forms on the weld, recognizable by discoloration. Blue or gray means heavy oxidation; a white, powdery layer is especially critical. The box prevents this completely and also protects against hydrogen embrittlement. Before welding, you must purge the box with shielding gas and keep the oxygen content low. Parts must be grease-free, and you must not touch the filler material with bare fingers. After welding, let the part cool in the box, otherwise the hot metal will immediately react with the surrounding air.