What are some uses for Argon?

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argon#Applications

summary:
welding
lighting/light bulbs
spectroscopy
thermal insulation
ice coring
ground water dating
cryosurgery
cryoablation (cancer treatment)
calorimetry
used in diving
used in museums as conservator gas
wine preservation
sputtering (?) (in microelectronics)

Answer 2

Argon is used in incandescent lighting, since it will not react with the filament of light bulbs even at high temperatures.

Argon is also used as an inert gas shield in many forms of welding, including metal inert gas welding and tungsten inert gas welding, the gas of choice for the plasma used in ICP spectroscopy, as a non-reactive blanket in the processing of titanium and other reactive elements, and a protective atmosphere for growing silicon and germanium crystals. It is also used in plasma globes, partial pressure heat treat furnaces, and as a gas for thermal insulation in energy efficient windows.

Argon is also used by museum conservators to protect old materials or documents, which are prone to gradual oxidation in the presence of air.

Argon is used to keep open bottles of wine from oxidizing, and is used in a number of dispensing units and keeper cap systems. In winemaking it is used as barrels are often topped off with the gas to displace oxygen, thus preventing the wine from turning to vinegar during the aging process. In surgery it is used in a procedure called "argon enhanced coagulation" which is a form of argon plasma beam electrosurgery. The procedure carries a risk of producing gas embolism in the patient and has resulted in the death of one person via this type of accident.

Answer 3

To increase the thermal efficiency of windows, Argon gas is used to replace air between two panes of factory-sealed Thermopane window glass.

Answer 4

I use argon when I weld with a wire feed welder. (MIG) It acts as a flux to flush away the impurities in the metal.

Answer 5

Put into light bulbs so the filament does not burn up. With out Argon the filament would burn up in seconds.

Answer 6

Welding

Answer 7

Electric light bulbs
Fluorescent tubes
Radio vacuum tubes
As an inert gas shield in arc welding

Answer 8

Along with welding, it is commonly used in laboratory settings to perform experiments in an inert environment.

Answer 9

It is used;
- as a blanketting gas to protect metal from being oxidized as it is being welded.
- an inert filler for light bulbs
- inert gas to protect components in semi-conductor manufacture.
- filler gas for high performance multiple glazing

Answer 10

Welding stainless steel.