A secondary inert shielding-gas application is often required when welding reactive metals such as titanium alloys and stainless steels, to protect the weld from oxidation until it has cooled to a safe temperature.

Available from Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, Burry Port (Wales) (HFT — www.huntingdonfusion.com), the low-cost Argweld Weld Trailing Shields® provides additional inert gas coverage during welding and is available in flat and radiused versions.

HFT chairman Ron Sewell said: “Our Argweld Weld Trailing Shields simply attach onto any TIG/GTAW, PAW/Plasma and MIG/GMAW welding torch, ensuring that the weld stays under a protective inert gas coverage while the hot weld metal is cooling, preventing it from oxidising on contact with air.”

The Argweld Weld Trailing Shields are connected to the inert-gas supply, diffusing the gas without turbulence through a multi-layer stainless-steel mesh built into the body of the shield.

At each side, replaceable silicone rubber side shields provide a barrier to prevent the gas escaping sideways.

As the welding torch is moved forward, the weld remains under an inert gas shield until the welded metal has cooled below its oxidation temperature.

Argweld Weld Trailing Shields are re-usable, can resist temperatures up to 230°C, and prevent re-work by eliminating the need for a costly purge chamber.

HFT says that welders have no difficulty ‘dragging’ this lightweight tool along the surface being welded — and it has the advantage of carrying the welding torch at 90deg to the weld.

Radiused Argweld Weld Trailing Shields are designed to suit the exact diameter of the pipe or vessels being welded, while flat models are available for sheet and plate welding.