Argon - Question

[MarineResearch]

Pump your suit full of helium and go for a 38 degree dive and let me know what you think.

Argon is generally used by trimix and heliox divers due to the extremely poor insulating qualities of helium.

 

[robertarak]

Argon is generally used by trimix and heliox divers due to the extremely poor insulating qualities of helium.

...or an "Argon" bottle filled with air.

 

[Akimbo]

Argon is generally used by trimix and heliox divers due to the extremely poor insulating qualities of helium.

Here are some relative numbers:

… These relative numbers on different gasses may also be interesting:

Thermal conductivity relative to air:
Air (gas) = 1.000x
Argon (gas) = 0.666x
Carbon dioxide (gas) = 0.608x
Helium (gas) = 5.916x
Hydrogen (gas) = 7.000x
Nitrogen = 1.000x
Oxygen = 1.000x
Water = 24.166x

Values converted from W/(m•K) posted on Thermal Conductivity of some common Materials​

It may be interesting to note that Nitrogen and Oxygen are virtually the same as air and therefore Nitrox. Trimix is another matter. The Helium number makes it obvious why hot water suits are mandatory for saturation divers.

I have not noticed the actual thermal conductivity value of Argon posted on this forum, but the one-third reduction over air or Nitrox looks to me like the added weight of the bottle and regulator would be better invested in lead and additional underwear.

Discussion on the efficacy of Argon to enhance drysuit insulation follows in the above thread.

 

[Jimmer]

Argon is generally used by trimix and heliox divers due to the extremely poor insulating qualities of helium.

Yeah, that was kind of my point.