Use of hydrogen in welding engineering in former times and today

This paper deals with the history of the use of hydrogen as a combustible or shielding gas in welding. Owing to certain characteristics of hydrogen, its use has been reduced over the years. Further development of welding technology, however, has dictated an increase in the use of hydrogen, particularly due to economic reasons. Hydrogen was used in gas welding, cutting and brazing as early as the beginning of the last century. It was a basic combustible gas used in flame processes before the introduction of acetylene. With the introduction of acetylene, hydrogen as a combustible gas fell into oblivion. Engineering development, however, has enabled the obtaining of hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis. Several devices for gas welding, cutting and brazing with hydrogen have made their appearance in the market. The paper deals primarily with the advantages of the use of hydrogen in gas processes. A decisive part in arc welding processes is played by the type of shielding gas used. It affects the arc shape, material transfer, energy distribution, temperature distribution, etc. In the past, an arc welding process called arc-atom was known. It used pure hydrogen. Hydrogen in various mixtures is, however, used today mainly in TIG welding of high-alloy steels, plasma welding and cutting and in gas mixtures for weld-root protection. The paper also deals with a study on the use of an argon mixture containing a larger portion of hydrogen in TIG and MIG welding processes.