a gas mixture , a pressure tank containing the gas mixture , a method that uses the gas mixture during thermal spraying , cutting , joining , deposition welding and / or surface treatment by means of arcs , plasma and / or lasers , a device for preparing the gas mixture and a method for manufacturing the gas mixture are disclosed , wherein the gas mixture contains a protective gas and a protective gas additive selected from the group of ethers , cyclic amines containing at least one ether group , and mixtures thereof .