Forming gas is a mixture of hydrogen (mole fraction varies)[1] and nitrogen.
Hypersensitization is used particularly in deep-sky astrophotography, which deals with low-intensity incoming light, requires long exposure times, and is thus particularly sensitive to contaminants in the film.
[3] Forming gas is also used to regenerate catalysts in glove boxes and as an atmosphere for annealing processes.
It is sometimes used as a reducing agent for high-temperature soldering and brazing, to remove oxidation of the joint without the use of flux.
It also finds application in microchip production, where a high-temperature anneal in forming gas assists in silicon-silicon dioxide interface passivation.