proudly made in the usa since 1923
Keen KT-99NP9S Nitrogen Purge TIG and Spooled Welding Wire Storage Oven
TIG OVEN KT-99 NITROGEN PURGE 120V 9-SHELVES NO DRAWER
Purpose: To prevent moisture contamination in TIG filler rods and spooled welding wire
Capacity: 720 lbs 36” TIG Filler Metal
Temperature Range: Ambient – 250F
The Keen KT-99NP9S Nitrogen Purge TIG Filler Wire and Welding Wire Spool Storage Oven and isn't just a storage cabinet—it’s an insurance policy for your most critical welds. Designed for high-spec TIG applications, the KT-99NP9S combines constant thermal control with a nitrogen-purge system to eliminate moisture and oxidation at the source. By providing a zero-oxidation environment through displacement, The KT-99NP9S ensures filler wire remains in ”factory-bright” condition and prevents hydrogen pick-up in sensitive alloys like Stainless, Inconel, and Titanium with total thermal uniformity. Large capacity shelves are designed for easy access and provide production-ready efficiency without compromising the internal atmosphere. When the X-ray is the final judge, the Keen KT-992D4S Nitrogen Purge TIG Filler Wire and Welding Wire Spool Storage Oven is your best defense.
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Product Overview
The nitrogen purge system in the Keen KT-99NP9S functions through atmospheric displacement. While standard welding ovens rely solely on heat to bake out moisture, the KT-99NP9S uses a pressurized inert gas flow to create a chemically "dry" environment where oxidation and hydrogen contamination are physically impossible.
Here is a breakdown of how the system functions during operation:
1. Positive Pressure Displacement
The KT-99NP9S is built with a sealed cabinet designed to be more airtight than standard electrode ovens.
- The Inlet: An inert gas (typically Nitrogen or Argon) is introduced through a dedicated brass fitting on the unit.
- The Process: As the gas enters, it fills the cabinet from one side, forcing the oxygen-rich, moisture-heavy ambient air out through the door seals or a dedicated vent.
- The Result: This creates positive pressure inside the oven. Because the internal pressure is slightly higher than the outside air, oxygen cannot "leak" back in, even if the seals aren't 100% hermetic.
2. Synergistic Heat & Purge
The system uses a "dual-action" approach to protect the filler wire:
- The Heat: The 1000W heating element raises the temperature (up to 250°F) which lowers the relative humidity and encourages any moisture molecules clinging to the wire surface to evaporate.
- The Purge: In a standard oven, that evaporated moisture stays trapped in the air inside the box. In the KT-99NP9S, the continuous flow of Nitrogen carries that liberated moisture out of the cabinet, ensuring the dew point remains extremely low.
3. Chemical Inertness
For sensitive alloys like Titanium, Stainless Steel, and Inconel, heat alone isn't enough. At elevated temperatures, these metals can react with even trace amounts of oxygen to form a microscopic oxide layer.
- By replacing oxygen with an inert gas like Nitrogen, the KT-99NP9S ensures the wire remains "factory bright." This eliminates the risk of inclusions or "dirty" puddles during the TIG welding process.
4. User-Controlled Regulation
It is important to note that the KT-99NP9S is a passive flow system:
- External Supply: The user connects a gas cylinder and a flowmeter (regulator) to the oven.
- Flow Rate: To maintain the environment, a low flow rate (measured in CFH—Cubic Feet per Hour) is typically used.
- High-Purge vs. Maintenance: Users often "blast" the system with high flow for a few minutes after closing the door to quickly displace oxygen, then drop it to a "trickle" to maintain the inert atmosphere during the work shift.
Operational Tip: Because the KT-99NP9S features a clear Lexan® door, you can monitor the inventory without opening the door and "dumping" your nitrogen atmosphere—saving you gas and ensuring the wire is never exposed to the shop environment.
Improperly stored TIG filler wire can absorb moisture and develop surface oxides, leading to several critical weld defects that compromise both structural integrity and aesthetics.
Primary Defects from Contaminated TIG Wire
- Porosity: The most frequent defect. Moisture, dust, or oils on the wire surface vaporize in the intense heat of the arc, trapping gas bubbles (often hydrogen or steam) within the solidifying weld. This creates "pinholes" or "wormholes" that significantly weaken the joint.
- Weld Cracking: Moisture on filler rods can introduce hydrogen into the weld pool, leading to hydrogen-induced cracking (cold cracking), particularly in high-strength steels. Contaminants can also cause hot cracking by introducing foreign elements that create low-melting-point compounds.
- Oxidation and Discoloration: Improperly stored wires, especially stainless steel and aluminum, can develop surface oxides. During welding, these oxides cause the bead to appear dull, gray, or black instead of shiny. In stainless steel, this severe oxidation (often called "sugaring") destroys the material's corrosion resistance.
- Lack of Fusion: Surface contamination like rust, grease, or heavy oxide layers can prevent the filler metal from properly bonding with the base metal. This creates a weak interface that can lead to immediate failure under stress.
- Weld Graininess: Particularly in aluminum, using rods that have been exposed to high humidity can result in a "grainy" or "peppered" appearance in the weld puddle, indicating that the oxides are not being properly cleared.
- Arc Instability: Dirt or oxidation on the wire can cause the TIG arc to wander or flicker, making it difficult for the welder to maintain a consistent puddle and leading to uneven bead profiles.
- Brittle Welds: For highly reactive metals like titanium, even microscopic amounts of atmospheric contamination from poorly stored wire can cause extreme embrittlement, making the weld likely to fail without warning
| sort order | 43 |
| name | Keen KT-99NP9S Nitrogen Purge TIG and Spooled Welding Wire Storage Oven |
| MPN | 010818 |
| description | TIG OVEN KT-99 NITROGEN PURGE 120V 9-SHELVES NO DRAWER |
| consumable | TIG Filler Wire |
| capacity rods | N/A |
| capacity spools | N/A |
| capacity TIG | (72) 10 lb. Tubes 40" |
| capacity flux | N/A |
| wattage | 1000W |
| convection | N/A |
| max temperature fahrenheit | 250F |
| max temperature celsius | 121C |
| temperature control type | Digital Microprocessor |
| adjustable range fahrenheit | Ambient-250F |
| adjustable range celsius | Ambient-121C |
| insulation | 2" Thermal Wool |
| power cord | 9 ft |
| "ON" Light | YES |
| NRTL listed | Available on request only |
