Coolants for welding equipment

There is still a widespread opinion that water can be used for cooling a liquid cooled welding torch. Some welders still use water and are surprised when torch failures occur regularly.

The reason why tap water is definitely not recommended as a coolant is its conductivity. This value is relatively high at around 700 microsiemens (µS) and more. The disadvantage: if electricity flows through water – and this happens when the coolant passes a power cable – this leads to the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy, also known as decomposition voltage. In this process, charged oxygen atoms are generated, which causes severe oxidation of the metals. This accelerated process is called electrical corrosion, which leads to clogging of the welding torch and deposits in the cooling system caused by the detached oxidation particles. Not only the welding torch and its fine cooling channels are affected, but also the power source is heavily loaded by the particles. The reason: particles circulating are transported to the pump, tank and cooler, which can lead to wear and untimely failure.

Since some cooling tanks are translucent and organic particles can get into the tank when the coolant is changed, the use of water or other unsuitable coolants often leads to algae formation, which can also get into the cooling circuit of the torch or power source and cause blockages.

Welding torch cooling with water destroys the torch, the power source and other metal parts of the welding system that get in contact with the liquid. The BTC-20 NF and BTC-50 NF coolants protect all components of the torch system from electrical corrosion, including the power sources and welding equipment.

Equipping an air cooled welding power source with a liquid cooled torch is easy with the mobile cooling units CR 1000 and CR 1250: In just a few steps, the water supply and return as well as the flow switch can be connected to the existing system and the »cool« welding process can start.

The importance of safety is increasing everywhere, and the requirements for manufacturing companies are also becoming stricter. Non-flammable coolants from ABICOR BINZEL for welding torches and power sources or welding equipment guarantee triple safety:

• for the welder at the workplace
• for the complete welding torch and cooling system
• for the environment

Depending on the application, different demands are placed on the welding torch coolant. BTC-20 NF is ideal for standard welding applications in the production hall. It is frost-proof down to minus 17 °C and like all NF products, non-flammable. If the torch coolant is transported over land or sea, or is required for offshore use, temperatures down to the minus range are possible. For such applications, we recommend the BTC-50 NF, which is frost-proof down to minus 45 °C – and of course non-flammable like all NF products from ABICOR BINZEL.

All coolants from ABICOR BINZEL comply with the NF standard. NF stands for non-flammable and exceeds the provisions of the GHS (Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) as well as the CLP regulation (Recommendation for the Safe Handling of Hazardous Substances) for the classification of flammability. The coolants BTC-20 NF and BTC-50 NF, as well as the anti-spatter agent ABIBLUE NF and the welding protection spray Super Pistolenspray NF, were tested for flammability in extended, standardised welding tests under various practical conditions.

For manufacturing companies, BTC-20 NF and BTC-50 NF from ABICOR BINZEL guarantee non-flammability of the coolant when used properly and provide the best cooling for the complete welding process.