Dr. Dmitri Kopeliovich

• General information about argon
• Extraction (isolation) of argon
• Applications of argon
• Properties of argon

Symbol: Ar

Atomic Number: 18

Atomic Weight: 39.948

Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s²p⁶ 3s²p⁶

Classification: Non-metal

Group: Noble gases

Number of Protons/Electrons: 18

Isotops: Ar-36 (stable), Ar-37 (half-life 35 days), Ar-38 (stable), Ar-39 (half-life 269 years), Ar-40 (stable), Ar-41 (half-life 1.8 hours)

Crystal Structure: Cubic

Name Origin: from Greek: argos (inactive)

Argon (Ar) was discovered in 1894 by Sir William Ramsay and Lord Baron Rayleigh.
Argon makes up about 1% of the earth atmosphere.
Molecules of argon are mono-atomic: Ar.
Argon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas.
Argon is chemically inert.

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Argon is extracted by Cryogenic Distillation of air.
Cryogenic distillation utilizes differences in boiling points of the air components.
The air is cooled down to the state of boiling liquid. The vapors are condensed and reboiled for several times. Compositions of the liquid and the vapors are different. This technique permits to separate air to its constituents: nitrogen, oxygen and argon.

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• Protective (shielding) gas.
  

Argon is used as an inert gas protecting liquid metals and hot metal parts from oxidation (Metal joining technologies (welding, brazing, soldering), Foundry technologies, growing semiconductor crystals).

• Filler gas in fluorescent and incandescent lamps.
  
• Plasma gas in Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) and Plasma spraying.

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(Materials Data)

• Argon (properties)

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• Oxygen
• Nitrogen
• Hydrogen
• Ammonia
• Ammonia cracker
• Nitrogen membrane generator

to Fluids
to Gases