By Ningbo Toprise Security Products Co., Ltd
As one of the China’s leading welding manufacturers since 2009, we would like to share what types of welding helmets there are. Welding masks are essential for protection to the welder’s eyes, face, and neck. Potential dangers include as follows:
- Infrared rays might cause permanent eyes damage.
- Sparks and debris from grinding or chipping of materials can bring about burns or other injuries.
So a proper lens shade would be quite necessary for proper protection to welders. Here below is a welding lens shade guide for reference.
| Shade Number | Recommended Welding Process | Amperage Range |
| Shade 5-8 | Torch brazing, cutting, soldering, gas welding | Low-light tasks, 20-100 amps |
| Shade 9 | Gas welding, light plasma arc welding (TIG, MIG) | 100-200 amps |
| Shade 10 | Stick welding, MIG, and low amperage arc welding | 100-150 amps |
| Shade 11 | Standard arc welding, MIG, flux-core welding | 150-250 amps |
| Shade 12 | High amperage arc welding, MIG, flux-core | 200-300 amps |
| Shade 13 | Heavy-duty arc welding, high amperage TIG, MIG | 250-350 amps |
| Shade 14 | Very high amperage arc welding, plasma cutting | Above 350 amps |
Below are the most common welding mask styles:
Passive Welding Helmets
These masks have a fixed shade lens, typically with a #10 shade. Welders must flip the mask up to see between welds. The shade number can be customized based on clients’ requirements. It’s particularly suitable for welders, always working with the the same material and process. The passive welding helmets are very simple and durable, but most costs-effective and easy to maintain.
Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets
These masks automatically adjusts the lens’s shade based on the brightness of the welding arc. They switch from a lighter state to a darker one in milliseconds. In the process of welding, welders don’t need to flip the mask up and down, which will definitely increase productivity and greatly reduce neck strain. So the auto-darkening welding helmets are very suitable for those, who frequently change places or work on different welding processes.
Custom Welding Helmets
Unique printing designs are often required for customization.
In Conclusion
Welding is a high risk task. It’s suggested to select the right welding masks together with the protection from welding gloves, welding clothes and non-conductive safety boots in case of any heavy objects, sparks and molten metal.
If you have any question of welding masks, contact TOPRISE https://toprisesafety.com/contact-us/
Learn more about welding masks, check the link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welding_helmet
