Sulfur Hexafluoride SF₆ — an insulating gas for high-voltage reliability
Sulfur Hexafluoride SF₆ from REAL GAZ is a colourless, odourless, non-flammable gas about five times denser than air, supplied liquefied under its own vapour pressure of roughly 21 bar at 21 °C.
Its outstanding dielectric strength and arc-quenching ability make it the standard insulating medium in compact high-voltage switchgear.
Its outstanding dielectric strength and arc-quenching ability make it the standard insulating medium in compact high-voltage switchgear.
We supply gas conforming to IEC 60376, in cylinders built to ISO 9809 and transported under ADR UN 1080, suitable for utility and industrial use.
🏭 Where Sulfur Hexafluoride Is Used
- ⚡ Gas-insulated switchgear — GIS substations use sulfur hexafluoride to insulate busbars and breakers in a compact footprint;
- 🔌 Circuit breakers — the gas extinguishes electric arcs quickly when high-voltage breakers open;
- 🔬 Leak detection tracer — very low background concentrations make SF₆ a sensitive tracer for ventilation studies;
- 🏭 Metal and semiconductor processing — controlled use appears in magnesium casting protection and in etching processes.
💡 Why Choose REAL GAZ
- ✅ Specification-compliant gas — new gas meets the purity limits for air, CF₄, moisture and acidity required by IEC 60376;
- 🧪 Documented quality — every lot has a certificate listing the impurity analysis;
- 🎯 Right quantity — cylinders and larger vessels are available to match substation top-up and first-fill needs;
- 🔒 Responsible use — we encourage leak-tight handling, recovery and reuse in line with IEC 60480 because SF₆ has a very high global warming potential;
- 📄 Certificate of Analysis (CoA) — supplied with every order.
🔬 Quality Control & Safety
- multi-stage purification and drying;
- moisture and impurity analysis, including air, CF₄ and mineral oil;
- accurate filling by weight using calibrated scales;
- leak testing and pressure integrity checks on valves.
Cylinders comply with ADR / UN transport rules and relevant EN/ISO standards.
📦 Handling & Storage of Sulfur Hexafluoride
Sulfur hexafluoride is not flammable, but because it is about five times heavier than air it collects in cellars, cable ducts and pits and can cause asphyxiation. Always provide low-level ventilation and use an oxygen monitor before entering confined areas. Store cylinders upright and secured, below 50 °C, and never heat them to speed up discharge. Use equipment designed for the pressure, and record the mass of gas added to or recovered from each compartment for emissions reporting.
⚙️ Trusted Gas Solutions
REAL GAZ provides Sulfur Hexafluoride SF₆ for transmission operators, switchgear makers and industrial customers in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Uzbekistan and the USA, with support for safe handling and gas recovery. Because the gas is heavy and displaces oxygen, our safety sheets stress ventilation of pits, trenches and enclosed switch rooms.
Gas is commonly supplied in 10, 40 and 50 litre cylinders, and larger quantities can be arranged for substation commissioning projects.
Customers also receive guidance on reporting gas inventories, since many regulators now require operators to keep records of every kilogram of SF₆ installed, added and recovered.
REAL GAZ — insulation gas you can specify with confidence.