Carbon dioxide in manufacturing technology

In manufacturing, carbon dioxide has been used in various ways for some time now. For example, carbon dioxide plays an important role in gas-shielded welding, because it prevents the arc from reacting with atmospheric oxygen and facilitates a high heat supply to the welding pool due to its high thermal conductivity. In laser technology, CO2-lasers rank among the most frequently used lasers. They are mainly applied in material machining, e.g. for laser cutting of metal sheets. Scientists at Fraunhofer IPK are developing concepts for the environmentally neutral application of carbon dioxide in manufacturing industries.