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I'd argue helium being non-reactive is 100 times more important than being larger than hydrogen in "why we choose it over hydrogen".
by thrdbndndn 3y ago
I'd argue helium being non-reactive is 100 times more important than being larger than hydrogen in "why we choose it over hydrogen".
- exmadscientist 3y agoNot really. The transport of helium and hydrogen through potential leaking sites is just different enough that they are sensitive to different things and appropriate for different uses. So hydrogen is indeed sometimes used for leak checking. ...though the inert gases (helium, argon, various freons) being inert sure does help make them popular.
- RugnirViking 3y agoI've done some work on chemical plants with hydrogen. Through a long chain of people (I was nowhere near the actual bare metal operations) I got a very strong impression that sealing hydrogen is a pain in the ass, it makes its way through every joint and seal. I'm sure some of it is reactivity but it being tiny I think also causes it. I know some of the machines must never be turned off because the sheen created by the ongoing reaction helps to seal it
- marcosdumay 3y agoAt least, it is 100 times more important than the atomic radius to explain why it leaks more. (Or, rather, it's some number of times where people only care about the exponent.)