Worker Health and Safety

Get wider views in a slimmer helmet.

We gave professional TIG welders prototypes of helmets with different lens sizes. Their favourite lens size was the curved, 2-to-1 aspect ratio we used for designing the 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Filter G5-02. A wider view was much higher rated than a taller view.*

And the only way to get wider views without making the helmet wider is by inventing a curved filter.

* 3M internal data on file.

Which colour tone works best for you?

Work with an even better view and control of your weld puddle. With the new 3M™ Speedglas™ Variable Colour Technology, you can choose between natural (A), cool (B) or warm (C) tones for your dark state. You determine which colour tone provides the best viewing contrast for your welds, and the most comfort for your eyes.

(A) Dark state 8 at “natural” variable colour level
(B) Dark state 8 at “cool” variable colour level
(C) Dark state 8 at “warm” variable colour level

A welding helmet with a blue auto-darkening filter.

Auto-Darkening Filters

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Back to welding safety overview

Improving upon what the welder sees.

Your goal is to weld consistently great welds. Our goal is to provide you with eye and face protection and also improved welding filter optics for better clarity.

How auto-darkening filters work.

Always read and follow all user instructions.

Before

With the helmet in the safe down position, you have a clear view through the welding filter. Both of your hands are free and the electrode can be precisely positioned.
During

Within a millisecond of the arc strike, the filter has switched to the dark state.
After

The filter automatically returns to the clear state after welding is complete, allowing your immediate inspection of the weld pool, and preparation for the next weld.

Auto-Darkening Filter Technologies

Natural Colour Technology toggle

Variable Dark State Colours toggle

Curved Glass Technology toggle

Auto-Darkening Filters	9100 Passive	9002NC	9100X	9100XX	9100XXi	G5-01TW	G5-01VC	G5-02
Compatible helmets	9100, 9100 QR, 9100-Air, 9100 FX, 9100 FX-Air, 9100MP, M-407SG, M-409SG	9002NC	9100, 9100 QR, 9100-Air, 9100 FX, 9100 FX-Air, 9100MP, M-407SG, M-409SG			G5-01		G5-02
Approximate viewing area	2.8" x 4.2" (73 x 107 mm)	2.13" x 4.09" (54 x 107 mm)	2.1" x 4.2" (54 x 107 mm)	2.8" x 4.2" (73 x 107 mm)		2.8" x 4.3" (73 x 109 mm)		3" x 5.9" (76 x 150 mm)
3M™ Speedglas™ Natural Colour Technology
3M™ Speedglas™ Variable Colour Technology
Curved Glass Technology
3M™ Speedglas™ Tack Welding Comfort Mode
Number of sensors (arc detection)		2	3			4
Dark state	10/11/12/13	8-12	5,8,9-13			8-13	8-14	8-12
Light state		Shade 3						Shade 2.5
UV/IR Protection (permanent)	10/11/12/13	12	13				14	12
External grinding mode control					Yes (only on 9100XXi kit: 06-0000-30i-KIT-CA)

See more details

A black, 3M™ Speedglas™ G5-02 Welding Helmet with a curved auto-darkening filter, with a background of the sun rising over a planet.

Learn more

How to choose a welding filter.

Would you benefit from seeing more natural colours and contrasts?

Work with an even better view and control of your weld puddle. With the new 3M™ Speedglas™ Variable Colour Technology (G5-01VC), you can choose between natural, cool or warm tones for your dark state. You determine which colour tone provides the best viewing contrast for your welds, and the most comfort for your eyes.

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Do you occasionally change shade numbers?

If yes, you have plenty of models to pick from: all our auto-darkening filters have variable (selectable) dark shades.

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What does your welding process require from your filter?

This is a key decision factor. You might want to also consider your needs for specific dark shade levels, light-to-dark switching sensitivity, and dark-to-light delay options which are features that vary from model to model.

Recommended shade numbers according to ANSI Z49.1:2012

Welding process	Current in amperes (A)
	1.5	6	10	20			30		40		60		80		100	125		150	160		200		225	250	300	350	400	450	500	600	700	800	900	1000
Shielded Metal Arc							10							12			14
Gas Metal Arc Welding							11							12			14
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding	10					12						14
Air Carbon Arc Cutting	12																					14
Plasma Arc Welding	6-8		10							12										14
Plasma Arc Cutting	4		5		6		8	9										12		14
Carbon Arc Welding	14
	1.5	6	10	20			30		40		60		80		100	125		150	160		200		225	250	300	350	400	450	500	600	700	800	900	1000

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How important is the size of welding filter’s viewing area?

For many welders, the ability to see more of their workpiece without moving their helmet or head is very important. For these “big picture” people, the G5-02 model provides 100% wider filter field of view compared to our previous largest 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Filter.*

*G5-02 field of view is compared with 9100XX. An apertometer was used to measure the field of view differences.

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Do you do a lot of tack welding?

Then our tack welding comfort mode may be for you. The comfort mode setting may help reduce eye fatigue caused by your eye constantly adjusting to differing light levels during tack welding. It's available on G5-01TW, 9100XX, and 9100X filters.

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Get wider views in a slimmer helmet.

Which colour tone works best for you?

(A) Dark state 8 at “natural” variable colour level

(B) Dark state 8 at “cool” variable colour level

(C) Dark state 8 at “warm” variable colour level

Auto-Darkening Filters

Improving upon what the welder sees.

How auto-darkening filters work.

Auto-Darkening Filter Technologies

Natural Colour Technology toggle

Imagine what more realistic-looking colours and details could do for you:

Variable Dark State Colours toggle

Which colour tone works best for you?

(A) Dark state 8 at “natural” variable colour level

(B) Dark state 8 at “cool” variable colour level

(C) Dark state 8 at “warm” variable colour level

Curved Glass Technology toggle

Get wider views in a slimmer helmet.