Nitrogen - Oxygen-free (N₂)

Features

Inert to nearly all substances at ambient temperatures and moderate conditions
Nitrogen keeps laser-cut faces oxide-free due to the chemical inertness to react with the atmosphere
At higher temperatures, nitrogen can react to form metal nitrides
Nitrogen gas is only slightly soluble in a wide range of liquids and is therefore used to flush unwanted gases from solutions
Reduces internal degradation of the rubber in tyres due to oxidisation
As a cryogenic liquid, nitrogen can be used to thermally contract metals

Used for blanketing and purging applications to displace or dilute all unwanted gas or vapour
Widely used for reasons of safety and the prevention of product degradation in the chemicals and petroleum industry
- Inerting reactors and storage tanks
- Purging vessels and pipelines
- Sparging
- Pressure-transfer of liquids
Shielding or assist gas for plasma-cutting aluminium and stainless steel, and as an assist gas for laser-cutting stainless steel
TIG-welding of tough-pitch copper
Heat-treatment processes to protect some of the most reactive metals
In electrochemical analysis, can be bubbled through to displace any oxygen
Pressure-transfer, where the movement of liquids or slurries from one piece of process plant to another is effected using gas pressure
Tyre inflation: helps to extend tyre life and prevent tyre bursts
Pressurising accumulators for batch-testing applications
Can be used for shrink-fitting. The intense cold of liquid nitrogen (-196°C), reduces the physical dimensions of a component placed in the liquid. Once cooled, the component is connected to a mating component before swelling to its original size as it reaches room temperature, thereby securing itself in place