Helium - 2He: uses
The following uses for helium are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I would be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses.
- filling balloons (blimps) as it is a much safer gas than hydrogen
- widely used as an inert gas shield for arc welding in countries where helium is cheaper than argon
- protective gas in growing silicon and germanium crystals, and in titanium and zirconium production
- cooling medium for nuclear reactors
- a mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen is used as an artificial atmosphere for divers and others working under pressure
- cryogenic applications
- as a gas for supersonic wind tunnels
- a protective gas for semiconductor materials
- pressurizing liquid fuel rockets