(Archived) Praxair Introduces New Shielding Gases for Robotic Welders

DANBURY, Conn., June 8, 2006 — Praxair Distribution, Inc., a subsidiary of Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) has introduced RoboStar® shielding gases, a family of gas blends specifically formulated for robotic welding equipment, as well as fixed automation and high speed welding applications.

RoboStar CS blend combines argon, carbon dioxide and oxygen to perform well in all types of metal transfer while also producing good arc characteristics and weld penetration, with a minimum of spatter regardless of the weld position. Welds produced using RoboStar CS shielding gas exhibit excellent weld metal strength and improved bead shape for better fatigue life.

RoboStar AL blend is designed for all-position welding of aluminum using 4000 and 5000 series filler wire. This argon-helium mix is suitable for both conventional or pulsed spray transfer, and CV or CC power.

RoboStar SS blend is an argon-helium mix with controlled additions of CO₂ that produces excellent weld bead appearance and minimum spatter at higher productivity levels than other gas blends. When used with austenitic stainless steel consumables, RoboStar SS shielding gas produces high-quality welds with superior mechanical and chemical properties in every welding position.

According to Janet Coffman, vice president business development and channels, "With more and more metal fabricators embracing robotic welding systems to increase their productivity, we saw a need for shielding gases that have been specially blended to work well on difficult-to-weld angles and repetitive, multi-position welding jobs."

"We're also offering a free visit by one of our welding specialists to help customers achieve maximum productivity through an optimum match of shielding gas, welding wire and process control," Coffman said.

Praxair Distribution, Inc., its subsidiaries and distributors deliver a wide array of industrial and specialty gases, equipment and supplies, technical expertise, and services to thousands of customers in the United States and Canada. With hundreds of locations throughout North America, Praxair provides differentiated product and service offerings that help customers achieve their objectives faster, better and at lower total cost.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2005 sales of $7.7 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technologies bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others. More information on Praxair is available on the Internet at www.praxair.com