{"id":5918,"date":"2020-03-09T17:46:48","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T14:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fractory.com\/?p=5918"},"modified":"2024-01-26T15:52:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T13:52:32","slug":"fuel-gases-for-oxyfuel-cutting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fractory.com\/fuel-gases-for-oxyfuel-cutting\/","title":{"rendered":"What Gases Are Used for Oxyfuel Cutting?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Flame cutting<\/a> is a thermal metal cutting method. Its primary advantage is the ability to cut very thick metal plates – usually up to 150 mm<\/strong>. In extreme cases, the metal thickness can go much (e.g. 1200 mm) above the aforementioned figure but this is not available with every manufacturer.<\/p>\n The only other comparable cutting method is waterjet<\/a> when it comes to thickness. While oxyfuel cutting is only suitable for a few metals<\/a>, a waterjet can cut pretty much anything. However, oxyfuel cutting is a lot cheaper than waterjet.<\/p>\n The oxyfuel cutting process takes place in 3 steps:<\/p>\n First, a mixture of cutting gas and oxygen is directed onto the workpiece through a cutting torch to preheat it. The objective is to achieve the ignition temperature, which is around 700…900\u00b0 C for carbon steel.<\/p>\n The temperature has to be well below the melting point, which is why flame cutting is unusable for some metals like aluminium.<\/p>\n Next comes a jet of pure oxygen. A chemical reaction occurs after igniting the metal, resulting in oxidation. And here lies the reason why flame cutting is not suitable for cutting stainless steel.<\/p>\n Lastly, the high-pressure oxygen jet blows away the slag, or iron oxide, cutting the metal in the process.<\/p>\n So the name of the process is pretty self-explanatory. The cutting method uses both oxygen and a cutting gas. But a variety of different gases are available.<\/p>\n Oxy-acetylene cutting has pretty much become synonymous with oxyfuel cutting. The reason is that this is the most common fuel used in the process.<\/p>\n The main reason for that is the temperature it can achieve – around 3200\u00b0 C. Such a high temperature makes faster piercing and cutting possible. At the same time, its secondary flame temperature is comparatively low. For the same reasons, it’s the most commonly used gas combination in oxy-fuel welding<\/a>.<\/p>\n The primary or inner flame is responsible for the cutting of the metal. The secondary, or the outside flame’s purpose is to preheat the metal.<\/p>\nCutting Process<\/h2>\n
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Oxyfuel Cutting Gases<\/h2>\n
Acetylene<\/h3>\n