What Is Argon Used For? The Science Behind Coravin Argon Capsules – Coravin US

"There was always the issue of oxidation… I had to finish or throw the bottle. As a wine lover, I wanted to be able to taste these wonderful wines side by side. To do that, I had to invent a new process."

— Greg Lambrecht, Inventor of Coravin

At Coravin, argon gas powers our wine-by-the-glass systems, letting you pour a perfect glass today—and return to the same bottle weeks, months, or even years later without compromise.

Yet many wine lovers aren’t aware of how argon works or why it’s the ideal choice for protecting delicate aromas and flavors.

In this guide, we’ll first explore argon’s critical role in the winery, then dive into the science that makes it uniquely inert, survey its broader industrial uses, and finally show how Coravin harnesses pure argon to keep every glass as perfect as the first - even decades later!

What Is Argon?

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First found in 1894 by scientists Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay, argon’s name comes from the Greek word argos, which means “inactive.”

Argon is a chemical element with atomic number 18 in Group 18 of the periodic table. It makes up about 0.93% of the air we breathe, making it one of the most abundant gases in the earth's atmosphere. Argon found in the atmosphere is widely used in various applications, including welding, healthcare, and deep-sea environments, due to its inert properties and abundance.

Argon is a gas that almost never reacts with anything else—that’s why it’s called an inert gas. It is colorless and has no smell.

In winemaking, argon is poured over wine to keep air out so the wine stays fresh and tasty (more on this below!).
In welding, argon surrounds hot metal to stop it from reacting with air and makes stronger welds.
In medicine, doctors use argon in some lasers and tools during surgeries.
Under the sea, deep-sea teams use argon in special equipment to protect them and their instruments.

A Brief History of Argon

Argon’s tale began in 1785 when Henry Cavendish observed a portion of air that resisted all reactions but originally misclassified it as nitrogen.

In 1894, Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay discovered this “inactive” gas by comparing the density of atmospheric nitrogen with chemically produced nitrogen.

In their experiments, they used a test tube as part of the apparatus and processed a large quantity of weak alkali or air. They removed reactive elements using electric sparks and U-shaped glass tubes, isolating a new element they named argon (from Greek argos, “inactive”).

Recognized as a noble gas, argon’s chemical inertness expanded the periodic table and revolutionized industries—from analytical chromatography, to winemaking and TIG welding—where its non-reactive nature protects sensitive processes and materials.

Argon Gas in Winemaking: Protecting Your Wine from Vine to Bottle

Beyond Coravin’s Wine by-the-Glass Systems, argon plays a vital role throughout modern winemaking.

Its unmatched chemical inertness and density make it the go-to gas for guarding wine against unwanted oxidation at every stage—right from the moment grapes arrive in the winery to the instant you pour that perfect glass.

Here's how;

Tank Blanketing & Oxygen Control

During fermentation and storage, stainless-steel tanks hold hundreds or thousands of litres of wine. The empty space above the wine, called the headspace, can let in oxygen that mutes delicate aromatics or creates off-flavors.

Winemakers gently add argon gas so it settles on the wine’s surface and pushes out atmospheric oxygen. By introducing argon, an argon atmosphere is created in the headspace, providing a controlled, non-reactive environment that prevents oxidation. Because argon is heavier than nitrogen or other lighter gases, it stays in place as an inert layer. This protective cap keeps the wine’s vibrant fruit character fresh until it’s time for the next rack or transfer.

Barrel Aging & Headspace Protection

When wine sits in oak barrels, it picks up nice flavors from the wood and a little bit of air. But too much air in the empty space (the headspace) can make the wine taste bad.

After winemakers fill the barrel back up (“topping”), they blow a small bit of argon gas into that empty headspace. This headspace protection keeps just the right amount of air in the barrel so the wine’s tannins soften and the flavors grow tasty—without turning the wine dry or sherry-like.

Inert Gas Sparging & Clarification

Before bottling, some dissolved oxygen stays in the wine and can spoil it later. Winemakers sparge the wine by bubbling argon gas through it. Sometimes, a mixture of inert gases, such as argon and nitrogen, is used depending on the desired effect. The argon pushes the oxygen out, like shaking soda to get the fizz out. The inert gas rises and leaves through tiny vents. This step lowers the wine’s oxygen to almost zero, helping keep red wine’s color stable and white or rosé wine fresh when it goes into the bottle.

Bottling Lines & Argon Flushing

Bottling machines fill many wine bottles very quickly. But each empty bottle gets a little bit of air inside before it fills. To fix this, winemakers use argon flushing. A blast of pure argon blows the air out of the bottle just before the wine goes in. That way, the first thing you taste is only wine—not air. This makes every bottle stay fresh and the same from the first cork pop to the last drop.

With oxidation mastered in the cellar, let’s look at the atomic structure that makes argon so special.

Physical & Chemical Properties of Argon

Argon is a chemical element (atomic number 18) in Group 18 of the periodic table, alongside other noble gases like neon, xenon gas, and helium.

Property	Details
Element Type	Noble gas (Atomic number 18), Group 18 of the periodic table
Chemical Reactivity	Chemically inert and odourless; does not react with most substances
Stability	Full outer electron shell; extremely stable and non-reactive
Density	~1.38× denser than air; forms a protective layer over liquids
Atmospheric Presence	Third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere ( 0.93% )
Thermal Conductivity	Low; used in insulation and cryogenic applications
Extraction Method	Obtained via fractional distillation of liquid air
Special Behavior	Under high pressure, may have neuroprotective/narcotic effects (medical use)

Argon Around the World

Beyond winemaking, argon gas serves as an indispensable inert gas across many industries and other noble gases applications:

Welding Industry & Metal Fabrication: In TIG/MIG welding, argon shields molten metal from oxidation, resulting in clean, strong welded metals. Its higher density than nitrogen ensures a stable gas curtain over the weld.
Lighting & Electronics: Argon fills incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent glow starters, preventing filament oxidation and enabling consistent electric discharge.
Analytical Chemistry: Acting as a carrier gas in gas chromatography, argon transports samples through microchannels without reacting, offering precise separation and detection.
Neutrino Experiments & Research: Ultra-pure argon provides an inert atmosphere in particle detectors, capturing faint neutrino interactions with minimal background interference.
Medical Field: Argon lasers correct eye defects and perform tumor ablation, while argon plasma coagulation is used to weld arteries and treat internal tissues in minimally invasive procedures.
Modern Technology & Insulation: Thanks to its low thermal conductivity, argon enhances the efficiency of double glazed windows, cryogenic storage, and even scuba diving dry suits in extreme conditions, maintaining warmth and safety.

From shielding high-temperature chemical reactions to preserving your favorite bottle at home, argon’s unique properties make it a cost-effective solution in countless applications around the globe.

Environmental & Safety Considerations

Argon as a Non-Toxic Inert Gas

Stored under high-pressure cylinders, argon is non-toxic, inert, and has no radioactive half-life, making it safe for food and lab use.

Non-toxic & odourless: Argon is food-grade safe and leaves no detectable residue—ideal for wine, food packaging, and laboratory use.
GRAS status: Recognized as safe for food and beverage contact by regulatory agencies worldwide.

Storage, Handling & Half-Life

High-pressure cylinders: Store argon under regulated pressure; always secure cylinders upright and use certified regulators.
Ventilation: While non-toxic, argon can displace breathable air in confined spaces—ensure proper airflow when handling bulk supplies.
Half-Life: As a stable noble gas, argon does not decay; bottle “expiry” depends solely on container integrity, not chemical breakdown.

Why This Matters for Coravin

Coravin’s wine-preservation systems rely on ultra-pure argon to protect your open bottles without ever pulling the cork. Because argon is inert and food-grade, you can pour glass after glass with complete confidence in flavor integrity—and without any off-flavors or chemical residues.

Coravin Pure™ Argon Capsules Safety

100% Food-Grade Purity: Every capsule is filled with ultra-pure argon, tested to meet NSF and FDA standards.
Precision-Sealed: Leak-tested valves ensure no air ingress, preserving capsule integrity up to the moment of use.
Certified Handling: Manufactured under strict ISO 9001 quality controls and shipped in secure, tamper-evident packaging.
Easy Disposal: Empty capsules contain no hazardous residue and can be recycled according to local metal recycling guidelines.

Comparing Argon with Other Noble Gases

Gas	Density vs Air	Reactivity	Typical Uses
Helium	0.14×	Inert	Balloons, cryogenics, leak detection
Neon	0.90×	Inert	Neon signs, plasma displays
Argon	1.38×	Inert	Wine preservation, welding, lighting
Xenon	4.50×	Inert	High-intensity lamps, anesthesia

The discovery of argon and other noble gases was recognized with the Nobel Prize awarded to Lord Rayleigh and Sir William Ramsay.

Argon’s unique combination of economy, density, and inertness makes it the most cost-effective choice for wine preservation and a wide range of industrial applications.

Unlike helium, which is too light and escapes quickly, or xenon gas, which is prohibitively expensive, argon strikes the ideal balance among the heavier noble gases.

Future Developments & Innovations

Researchers are exploring argon’s potential in:

Extreme Environments: As a shielding gas in deep-sea or space-based manufacturing.
Advanced Materials: Growing ultra-pure crystals for quantum computing and optoelectronics.
Green Energy: Plasma-assisted catalysis to convert CO₂ into fuels.

Researchers are even testing argon in space-based manufacturing under extreme conditions, and in recent developments for green-energy catalysis.

“The needle goes through the cork, argon gas replaces the wine, and the bottle stays fresh.”

— Greg Lambrecht, Inventor of Coravin

Coravin Pure™ Argon Capsules

Every Timeless™ and Pivot™ device runs exclusively on Coravin Pure™ Argon Capsules. These capsules are precision-engineered and filled with ultra-pure, 100% food-grade argon to ensure your wine tastes just as the winemaker intended.

Pure Quality: Each capsule is tested for purity and consistency to preserve your wine’s natural character.
Pure Performance: A secure seal ensures every pour is smooth and controlled.
Pure Efficiency: One capsule powers up to 15 pours with Timeless™ or up to 20 pours with Pivot™.

Why Only Coravin Branded Capsules?

Using non-Coravin capsules in your Coravin Timeless+ or Pivot+ systems risks damaging your system and compromising your wine. Only Coravin Pure™ Capsules are designed and tested for our systems, ensuring the safety, flavor integrity, and performance you expect.