SF₆ - a gas withunusual properties

Solvay's sulphur hexafluoride is a non-toxic, inert, insulating and cooling gas of high dielectric strength and thermal stability.

It is particularly suitable for application in both high-voltage and medium-high voltage power circuit breakers as well as in high-voltage cables, transformers, transducers, particle accelerators, X-ray equipment and UHF transmission systems and as an etching and chamber cleaning gas in the semiconductor industry.

The construction of new equipment with higher capacity and improved performance has been made possible by the excellent electrical, thermal and chemical properties of SF₆. Changing from conventional dielectrics to sulphur hexafluoride - a non-flammable, chemically-inactive and non-toxic heavy gas - results in consider-able space and weight savings and improvements in the operational safety of converted equipment.

SF₆ / inert gas mixtures are used in the production of magnesium and magnesium alloys; the cleaning of aluminium melts; as a protective gas to prevent ignition, oxidation, and nitride formation; as well as for removing oxides and solid inclusions.

Even in the very lowest concentrations, sulphur hexafluoride can be detected by halogen leak detectors. SF₆ is therefore useful as an additive to other gases as a tracer for the purposes of leak detection, or it can be used as a constituent of air for meteorological measurements.

SF₆ is also used in medical technology: for example as a contrast agent in ultrasonic examinations as well as in ophthalmology, pneumonectomy and diseases of the middle ear, e.g. treating loss of hearing in middle ear infections.