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Welding Curtain Colours Explained: Amber, Blue & Green
Welding curtains come in several distinct colours — amber/orange, blue, and green. This isn't aesthetic. Each colour provides different optical filtration characteristics suited to different welding and cutting processes. Understanding which colour is right for your application is essential for operator protection and compliance with UK and European standards.
Why Welding Curtain Colour Matters
Welding processes generate harmful optical radiation: UV (causes arc eye and skin burns), IR (causes eye damage and thermal burns), and intense visible light (retinal damage). Welding screens must filter these to safe levels for bystanders not wearing helmets. The colour determines which wavelengths are absorbed.
The Standard: ISO 25980
ISO 25980:2020 (formerly EN 1598:1997) specifies optical density requirements across UV, visible and IR wavelengths, physical durability requirements, and marking requirements. All welding curtains in UK workplaces should comply with this standard. Browse our ISO 25980-compliant welding curtains and screens.
Amber / Orange Welding Curtains
The most common type in UK workshops. Amber PVC absorbs UV effectively while transmitting useful visible light. Best for: MIG welding (GMAW) on mild and stainless steel, MIG-MAG welding, general workshop welding. Shade number: typically ISO 25980 shade 7 or 9.
Blue Welding Curtains
Blue PVC provides effective UV and IR filtration while softening the harsh yellow-white light of the arc. Best for: MIG welding operations with high visible light intensity, plasma cutting, applications where bystander eye comfort during extended exposure is a priority. Popular in fabrication workshops with multiple simultaneous welding stations.
Green Welding Curtains
Green PVC provides the highest optical protection level. It absorbs a broad spectrum of UV and visible radiation. Best for: High-current TIG welding (GTAW) on stainless and aluminium, plasma cutting at high amperage, high-current MIG welding, laser welding operations. Trade-off: lower light transmission — the welding zone is less visible through a green curtain. Shade: typically 10–12.
Process Selection Guide
| Process | Recommended Colour | Shade Number |
|---|---|---|
| MIG/MAG welding (mild steel) | Amber | 7–9 |
| MIG welding (aluminium, SS) | Amber or Blue | 9–11 |
| TIG welding (high current) | Green | 10–12 |
| Plasma cutting | Blue or Green | 9–12 |
| MMA/stick welding | Amber or Green | 9–11 |