Glovebox welding

Modern welding often needs more than just strong joints – it also demands leak-tightness, low contamination, very clean and smooth surfaces. This is critical in high-end applications such as aerospace and Formula 1, where welding quality must be perfect.

Early on, argon shielding gas was used to protect molten metal from oxygen, moisture and nitrogen, reducing oxides, toxic fumes and discoloration. However, manual shielding methods (gas lenses, trailing shields, backing bars) depend heavily on highly trained operators and are often difficult or unsuitable for complex parts.

Titanium is especially sensitive: even small amounts of oxygen, moisture or nitrogen – sometimes below the melting point – can make the metal brittle. Any discoloration on the weld shows that unwanted reactions with air have occurred despite shielding.

Because of these limitations, manual shielding cannot always prevent contamination.

Inert gas welding chambers

Using inert gas welding chambers (welding gloveboxes) reliably excludes reactive gases and moisture. Levels of oxygen, nitrogen, moisture and solvent vapors can be reduced to below 1 ppm.
Although the chambers may look cumbersome at first glance, the benefits are clear:

• Full protection of both weld root and cap, independent of geometry or part complexity

• Typically made from stainless steel

• Can include handling systems, fume extraction and viewing windows or radiation shields

Main advantages

Oxygen & nitrogen-free environment

• Prevents oxide and nitride formation

• Reduces welding fumes

• Produces smooth weld seams

• Often eliminates post-weld cleaning or rework

Moisture-free environment

• No water film on the base metal

• Clean, bubble-free weld seam

• Parts can be pre-dried in a heated antechamber to remove adsorbed water

Closed inert gas system

• Stable, reproducible and documented atmosphere for controlled welding

• Highest end-product quality

• No waste of expensive inert gas (recirculation and purification, as in gloveboxes)

• Complete removal of welding fumes

• No release of toxic alloy components

• Complex geometries can be welded without extra local shielding

• No scrap caused by poor gas shielding