🚀 go-pugleaf

don't you think that Mig would work well on Mars?  with the very low oxygen 
content, and relatively high CO2, you probably wouldn't need a shielding 
gas.

On a related note, could you tig in outer space with no shielding gas?

Brian


<richard.smith.met@ntlworld.com> wrote in message 
news:1118658211.636167.235270@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> Tristan
>
> I think you should be alright with TIG.  The atmospheric pressure on
> Mars in lower.  I think as you lower the pressure of the gas you are
> running an arc in, the arc spreads, but for this difference in pressure
> it will be by not much.  Maybe you would notice a slightly softer arc
> compared to on Earth.  But I don't think it's as much as would matter.
> I suggest TIG because you can weld just about any metal and for filler
> you can use scrap bits of the same substance, provided by the locals,
> when you are welding to make pretty good welds.  And you can take some
> sticks (SMA rods) for when it's just plain old iron (I take it the "Red
> Planet" is red because of lots of iron oxide in the rocks?  I'm not an
> astronomer.  Would be happy to be stood corrected here).
>
> The winds are very fast on Mars, so you would need to protect your
> shield around the torch.  Make sure you take a tent.  With the
> atmospheric pressure being low, although the winds are very fast they
> don't exert much force and an ordinary tent from WalMart would be just
> fine.
>
> Have a good trip.  Tell us what is was like when you get back.  Maybe
> you can run a weblog while you are out there so we can see the projects
> you are doing.
>
> Richard S.
>