Oxygen

Oxygen (O₂) is a tasteless, colourless, odourless and non-flammable gas.

At atmospheric pressure, it becomes a liquid at -183°C.

O₂ makes up, approximately, 21% of the earth's atmosphere, supports life and makes combustion possible. The most abundant of all elements on earth, oxygen comprises approx. 85% of its oceans and, as a component of most rocks and minerals, 46% approximate of its solid crust. In addition, it constitutes around 60% of the human body.

Although Oxygen itself is non-flammable, it supports combustion and enables all materials that are flammable in air to burn. These combustion-supporting properties account for its use in many industrial applications.

Oxygen reacts with all elements, except 'inert' gases, to form compounds called oxides. The rate of reaction - known as oxidation - varies. For example, Aluminium oxides very rapidly, making it very useful as a construction and utility material, resilient to corrosion. However, noble metals, such as Gold and Platinum, only oxidise at very high temperatures.

Typical areas of application

Oxygen is used in diverse applications covering many industries, including:

• Metallurgical industry in production of Aluminium and Steel to enrich air and increase combustion temperatures
• Mechanical industry for welding and cutting
• In wastewater treatment to increase effectiveness of biological treatment
• Aeration/oxygenation of drinking water
• To increase yield in fish farming
• In health and hospital environment, where medical grade oxygen is vital to the patients emergencies or long-term treatment of patients with respiratory disorders

A Material Safety Data Sheet or Product Specification sheet will be posted upon request.