Of course, metal welding is one of the most dangerous for humans, because all welding work is accompanied by the constant release of harmful substances and factors. Some of the most dangerous are: electric arc, bright glow, toxic gases, infrared and ultraviolet radiation. That is why, in order to protect themselves as much as possible from such a "bouquet" of troubles, when welding metal, workers use a special protective mask, which is called the mask of the welder.
Arc hazard
First, we note why the electric arc is so dangerous to humans . This is in the process of such work is the basis of the basics of electric arc welding. In this case, the temperature of the metal nodes can reach 8 or more thousand degrees. With this heating, local melting of steel occurs, due to which the connection is very high quality and reliable. But the “side” effect here is intense radiation in the infrared, optical and ultraviolet range. All this glow has a very negative effect on the eyes of the employee, which can lead to various diseases and even complete loss of vision. Therefore, the mask of the welder is an integral attribute when performing this kind of work.
Varieties
At present, there are 4 main types of these devices:
- Traditional mask.
- Welding shield.
- Mask for specific work.
- Fixture with a special lifting filter.
Each of these species is supplied with thick tinted glass. Also, the welder’s mask (including “ASF”) can have a special filter in its design, which includes a cover glass and a plexiglass substrate.
Glass construction
This part of the tool is made of a special non-conductive material, which by its properties is resistant to splashes of hot metal up to 8 thousand degrees Celsius, sparks and electric arc. It is best to purchase masks that have removable mechanisms to replace this glass. The fact is that during long-term welding, its surface very quickly “gets stuck” with metal sprays and it is almost impossible to see the welding place through such a tool. Therefore, make sure that the device has a removable glass mechanism (with a sealed mount).
Manufacturers
The following are the most sought-after firms that manufacture such parts as a welder mask:
- "Corundum".
- "Chameleon".
- Fubag.
- Elitech
- Speedglas.
- Kemppi.
The most expensive mask of the welder, and accordingly the highest quality in terms of its characteristics, is a product of the Chameleon company. It costs more than all the other "brothers" - about 2-2.5 thousand rubles. And this despite the fact that some types of masks can be purchased for 160-200 rubles. In general, the cost of quality parts varies from 1 to 2 thousand rubles.
When choosing, pay special attention to the fact that the mask is conveniently adjusted “under the head” and does not have too heavy a weight.