Why Are Rare Gases So Important? - Chengdu ORMD Mechanical Equipment Co.,Ltd

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Why Are Rare Gases So Important?

Time:2025-07-24 17:07:09

The importance of rare gases is reflected in their unique physical and chemical properties and irreplaceable key applications. They play a crucial role in modern technology, industry, medicine, and basic research, and even relate to national strategic security and the development of cutting-edge technology.

Rare gases have unique physical properties:

Helium (He): has the lowest boiling point (-268.9 ° C) and is the only substance that cannot solidify at atmospheric pressure; Superfluidity; Extremely low solubility; High thermal conductivity; Low density.

Neon (Ne): a bright red glow discharge.

Argon (Ar): High density, providing good isolation and protection; Low thermal conductivity; Easy to ionize and form stable plasma.

Krypton (Kr) and Xenon (Xe): with high molecular weight, discharge produces strong light of specific wavelengths; Xenon gas has excellent anesthetic properties.

Radon (Rn): Natural radioactive gas.

Extreme chemical inertness: The outermost electron layer of all rare gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn) is saturated and hardly undergoes any chemical reactions with any substance.

Perfect protective gas: prevents oxidation and contamination in high-temperature processing (welding, metallurgy) and precision manufacturing (semiconductor).

Safe operating medium: used for pressurization, purging flammable, explosive or toxic systems (rocket fuel, nuclear reactors).

This makes rare gases:

Irreplaceability: In many core applications, especially semiconductor lithography, MRI cooling, rocket propulsion, and ultra-low temperature research, no other substance can completely replace their unique properties.

Basic support: They are indispensable "industrial blood" and "scientific oxygen" in modern high-tech industries (chips, displays, precision manufacturing), cutting-edge healthcare (imaging, critical care), cutting-edge scientific research (quantum, high-energy physics), national defense aerospace and other fields.

Strategic vulnerability: Especially helium and certain specific gases (such as neon used in semiconductors), their highly concentrated and non renewable supply chains make them potential vulnerabilities to national economic and technological security.

Innovation driving force: The research and application of rare gas properties, such as superfluid helium, hyperpolarized xenon, and rare gas compounds, are themselves at the forefront of science and continue to drive technological progress.

Therefore, rare gas is not only an "inert" supporting role, but also a strategic key resource to support the operation of modern society, scientific and technological innovation and human health. Its importance far exceeds its "rare" content in the crust. Ensuring stable supply and promoting the development of recycling technology are important issues in the science, technology, and industrial policies of various countries.

The extraction method of rare gases and the principles of nitrogen and oxygen production equipment are similar. Specific rare gases can be customized according to demand, contact us for details.

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