Argon Gas
Argon gasArgon (Ar), a noble, colorless, odorless and completely inert element, plays a key role in controlling unwanted chemical reactions in heavy industry and laboratories. It is used as a protective layer in specialized welding, metal smelting, insulating double-glazed windows and stabilizing laboratory gas mixtures. Bonyan Gas supplies argon in grades from industrial to laboratory with guaranteed purity to manufacturing plants, research centers and contractors across the country.
Purity grades
The purity grade should match the sensitivity of the user’s process; higher purity means fewer impurities (mainly residual nitrogen, oxygen and moisture) and a higher cost.
N4.0
N4.5
N5.0
Looking to buy a full argon cylinder? For full cylinder specifications, volumes and price quotes, visit the argon cylinder page.
Specifications Table
| Chemical symbol | Atomic number | Atomic mass | Melting point | Boiling point | Critical point | Density | Color | Odor | Taste | Flammability | Toxicity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ar | 18 | 39.948g/mol | 189.2°c- | 185.8°c- | 122°c- | 1.784g/l | Colorless | Odorless | Tasteless | Non-flammable | Non-toxic |
Argon, the third most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, makes up about 0.93% of the air we breathe. This element belongs to the noble gas group of the periodic table and is completely inactive under standard conditions, with no tendency to react chemically; it is exactly this inertness that makes it an ideal shield against oxidation and unwanted industrial reactions. The gas is produced by fractional distillation of liquid air in advanced air separation units (ASU), and it condenses (turns to liquid) at −185.8°C.
Safety tips for storing and using argon gas
Although argon is neither toxic nor flammable, its build-up in closed spaces without ventilation quickly displaces oxygen and creates a hidden risk of asphyxiation. Because the gas is completely colorless and odorless, detecting its concentration without oxygen sensors is practically impossible. Since argon is heavier than air and tends to settle in low or underground areas, a ventilation system for welding workshops and laboratories is mandatory.
Industrial purity (usually N4.0) is enough for welding and general processes; laboratory purity (N5.0 and above) is used for applications such as chromatography that need minimal impurities.
No, argon is not toxic, but in a closed, unventilated space it can reduce the oxygen level in the air and cause a risk of asphyxiation.
It is obtained by fractional distillation of liquid air in air separation units; its main source is the Earth’s atmosphere.
Full specifications of the cylinders, volumes and purchase options (full / refill only / empty cylinder) are given in the gas cylinders section.