Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF₆)

Overview

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable and chemically stable gas with outstanding electrical insulating and arc-quenching properties. It is the standard insulating gas in high-voltage switchgear and circuit breakers used by power utilities and industrial plants.

Key Characteristics

• Colorless, odorless and non-flammable
• Very high dielectric strength and arc-quenching ability
• Around five times denser than air
• Potent greenhouse gas, so it is handled and recovered with care

Common Applications

• Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and circuit breakers
• High-voltage transformers and substations
• Plasma etching in semiconductor manufacturing
• Tracer gas for leak detection and ventilation studies

Available Supply Formats