Spatter in Welding: Should You Consider Anti-Spatter Liquid?

Are you losing money and arc-on time for excessive contact tip changeovers? Anti-spatter liquid may be an option to help.

What is anti-spatter liquid?

This compound protects the front-end consumables on your robotic MIG gun from spatter accumulation, reducing downtime for tip replacements and helping to prevent shielding gas flow restrictions that could lead to porosity. This liquid also:

• Prolongs the life of the nozzle, contact tips and gas diffuser
• Lowers cost for consumable inventory and management
• Reduces operating costs by improving weld quality and lowering rework

Although it resembles water in its consistency, anti-spatter liquid (when applied correctly and in the appropriate volume) will not drip like water. Rather, it creates a barrier between the nozzle and any spatter generated during the welding process. The spatter easily falls off when the nozzle cleaning station or reamer performs the reaming cycle, leaving the nozzle and other front-end consumables clean. Note, you must reapply the compound frequently to help maintain that barrier.

Does my operation need to use anti-spatter liquid?

Constant-voltage (CV) applications and those utilizing solid wire and/or the welding of galvanized steel tend to produce high levels of spatter and often benefit the most from the use of anti-spatter liquid. Anti-spatter liquid also benefits high-volume, high-production operations where the goal is to minimize potential weld quality issues, extend consumable life and reduce downtime. Its application can easily be programmed so that it is sprayed onto the consumables after each ream cycle, during routine pauses in production for part changeover.

Learn about TOUGH GARD® anti-spatter liquid.

This article is the first in a three-part series focused on the use and benefits of anti-spatter liquid. Read article two, How to Select and Use Anti-Spatter Liquid, and article three, Anti-Spatter Sprayer: How to See the Best Results.