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Argon (Ar)

Last updated: August 25, 2017

What Does Argon (Ar) Mean?

Argon is the chemical element with an atomic number of 18 and symbol Ar. It is a noble gas and considered to be the third most typical gas present in the atmosphere.

The term is derived from Greek word “apyov” which means inactive or lazy. This is because this element is not very reactive.

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Corrosionpedia Explains Argon (Ar)

In industry, argon is produced through liquid air fractional distillation. It is widely utilized as a shielding gas in high-temperature processes like welding, wherein a typically non-reactive element can be reactive.

For instance, argon is infused in the atmosphere in electric furnaces made from graphite to avert the burning of graphite. This gas also has applications in fluorescent and incandescent lighting as well as other kinds of gas-discharging tubes.

Argon has similar levels of solubility in liquids or water as does oxygen, and is about three times more soluble than nitrogen. It is non-toxic, non-flammable, colorless and is inert under most situations. It also does not form stable compounds under room temperature.

Due to its properties, argon is used in industry for corrosion prevention. For example, argon ions are implanted on steel materials to improve corrosion resistance. This is because the inert gas layers form in the surface of the material, reducing the corrosion rate.

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