Nitrogen helps protect the metal during welding and improves the quality of laser and plasma cutting.

Argon is used to remove gaseous impurities and create a protective atmosphere for welding and cutting. Argon protects the molten metals from oxygen, nitrogen, and atmospheric humidity as well as prevents the formation of oxides and nitrides. Such metals as aluminium, magnesium, chromium, vanadium, silicon, titanium, and molybdenum require such protection. Argon performs the same function in manufacturing steel alloys in vacuum-induction furnaces.

In addition, argon is used for mixing liquid steel. It is required to homogenize the temperature and composition of steel as well as remove unwanted gases which are impairing its physical properties.

Argon is used in plasma furnaces to incinerate toxic metallurgical waste. It serves as a shielding gas when blowing the toxic materials through plasma.