Does welding gas go bad?
- Thread starter woodlandfarms
- Start date
- Views: 11218
Jim Timber
Veteran Member
Just swapped out tanks on my c25 that was last filled in 2005. So 10 years on one 125cf of mixed and it went bad when the tank pressure was too low to keep up with the flow meter. 
There was about 3 years where my feeder was broken I didn't use or move the welder at all. Never affected anything when I brought it back in service.
They don't come out of solution. Someone's trying to get another fill out of you.
My O/A tanks haven't been filled since 2007. I only use the rosebud for getting bolts unstuck these days, and that's few and far between anymore.
There was about 3 years where my feeder was broken I didn't use or move the welder at all. Never affected anything when I brought it back in service.They don't come out of solution. Someone's trying to get another fill out of you.
My O/A tanks haven't been filled since 2007. I only use the rosebud for getting bolts unstuck these days, and that's few and far between anymore.
Acetylene is not a blend of gasses. It is a pure compound that polymerizes under high pressure and forms an explosive material that is sensitive to shock. To make it safe in bottles the bottles contain calcium carbonate as a porous filler and acetone (liquid) in which acetylene is very soluble. When you open the tank you are drawing off the gas phase of acetylene which is at a safe low pressure. Opening a bottle that is laying down could draw off the liquid acetone. Correct me if any parts of this is incorrect.
Last edited:
ultrarunner
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Messages
- 28,169
- Tractor
- Cat D3, Deere 110 TLB, Kubota BX23 and L3800 and RTV900 with restored 1948 Deere M, 1949 Farmall Cub, 1953 Ford Jubliee and 1957 Ford 740 Row Crop, Craftsman Mower, Deere 350C Dozer 50 assorted vehicles from 1905 to 2006
In welding school... the teacher has a display of what happens drawing acetylene from a cylinder lying flat... it exploded.
vulcancowboy
Gold Member
I have never heard of any of the welding gasses deteriorating. I have heard of them leaking though.
Kinda like me, except I'm deteriorating too!
bigdeano
Platinum Member
I have a tank of Mapp gas I bought in the 1970's. It still burns just fine. I never used it much because it sucks compared to acetylene for cutting. It works good for heating though.
Jim Timber
Veteran Member
Did they? I thought you could still get it in the little 1#er's?
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 63,330
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
According to this WIKI article, they stopped selling true MAPP gas in 2008, but still sell something called MAPP gas, but its not the same thing....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAPP_gas
Interesting read.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAPP_gas
Interesting read.
ultrarunner
Epic Contributor
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Messages
- 28,169
- Tractor
- Cat D3, Deere 110 TLB, Kubota BX23 and L3800 and RTV900 with restored 1948 Deere M, 1949 Farmall Cub, 1953 Ford Jubliee and 1957 Ford 740 Row Crop, Craftsman Mower, Deere 350C Dozer 50 assorted vehicles from 1905 to 2006
Back in welding school in the late 70's MAPP was very popular... come to think about it... it's been years since I've heard anyone talk about it.