Helium | Metro Welding Supply Corp.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

Helium is a versatile and non-flammable gas known for its unique properties. It is a lightweight, inert gas that does not combust or support combustion. From inflating balloons for celebrations to serving as a vital component in industrial processes, High-Purity Helium Gas finds a wide array of applications. It is commonly used in medical, scientific, and manufacturing industries. Additionally, its stable and non-reactive nature makes it an invaluable resource for laboratories and research facilities around the world.

10 KEY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Inert and Non-Reactive: Helium is chemically inert, meaning it does not readily react with other elements or compounds. This property makes it safe and stable for a wide range of applications.
2. Low Boiling Point: Helium has an extremely low boiling point of -313-450-9300 degrees Celsius 313-450-9300 degrees Fahrenheit), which is close to absolute zero. This makes it useful in cryogenic applications.
3. Lightweight: Helium is one of the lightest elements, which contributes to its buoyancy. This characteristic is why it is commonly used to fill balloons.
4. Low Density: In its gaseous state, helium is significantly less dense than air, which also contributes to its buoyancy. This property is exploited in various applications such as airships and blimps.
5. Monoatomic: Unlike many other gases, helium atoms exist as individual, non-bonded entities. This monoatomic structure contributes to its unique behavior at low temperatures.
6. Non-Flammable: Helium is non-flammable and does not support combustion. This characteristic ensures safety in applications where flammability is a concern.
7. High Thermal Conductivity: Helium exhibits excellent thermal conductivity, especially at low temperatures. This property makes it valuable in cryogenic cooling systems and certain scientific experiments.
8. Low Solubility: Helium has very low solubility in liquids, which means it does not readily dissolve in most substances. This property is essential in medical applications like MRI imaging.
9. Abundance in the Universe: Helium is the second-most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen. However, it is relatively rare on Earth and is often extracted from natural gas deposits.
10. Nuclear Stability: Helium nuclei (also known as alpha particles) are among the most stable configurations in nuclear physics. This stability plays a role in certain nuclear reactions and processes.

10 COMMON USES

1. Balloon Inflation: Helium is widely used to fill balloons, creating the iconic floating effect. It's a staple at celebrations, parties, and events.
2. Cryogenic Applications: Helium is used in cryogenics for cooling and maintaining extremely low temperatures. It's vital in applications like superconducting magnets in MRI machines and particle accelerators.
3. Airship and Blimp Buoyancy: Due to its low density, helium provides buoyancy for airships and blimps, allowing them to float in the atmosphere.
4. Welding and Leak Detection: In specialized welding processes, helium serves as a shielding gas to protect the weld area from atmospheric contaminants. It's also used in leak detection tests for its low solubility in liquids.
5. Medical Imaging: Helium is used in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines to cool superconducting magnets, enabling the generation of high-quality images for medical diagnosis.
6. Scientific Research: Helium is crucial for various experiments in physics, chemistry, and material science, especially those conducted at low temperatures or in controlled atmospheres.
7. Gas Chromatography: In analytical chemistry, helium is used as a carrier gas in gas chromatography to separate and analyze complex mixtures of substances.
8. Controlled Atmospheres: In controlled environments like laboratories, helium helps create specific atmospheres for experiments, where its inert and non-reactive properties are invaluable.
9. Deep-Sea Diving: Heliox, a mixture of helium and oxygen, is used in deep-sea diving to reduce the risks associated with nitrogen narcosis at high pressures.
10. Aerospace Testing: Helium is used in aerospace testing facilities to pressurize and purge systems, as well as for inflating components like aircraft tires and pneumatic systems.