Flame cutting is a combustion process. It is not the heating flame itself that does the actual cutting but an oxygen jet, which burns the material during the heat formation and transports the combustion products (slag) away from the cut. When cutting, oxygen purity is of great importance for cutting speed. The purer the gas, the higher the cutting speed and the better the productivity and cut quality.
Before cutting can begin, the steel has to be heated to ignition temperature by means of a gas flame. The choice of fuel gas affects cut quality and the time used for preheating. When choosing a fuel gas the thickness of the material must also be considered. By using ODOROX® you can minimize the risk of fire and explosion which is always associated with fuel gases. The smell warns of gas leaks in good time.
The most important part of cutting equipment is the cutting nozzle. The higher the outlet speed of the oxygen jet, the better the output of the nozzle. The speed in turn depends on the shape of the cutting nozzle. Nowadays, nozzles with an expansion channel are often used, giving the oxygen jet a high velocity.
The construction of the cutting nozzle and its adjustment to various fuel gases with regard to the size of the gas channels, exact geometry, tolerances and surface finish are of crucial importance for achieving a high quality cut. Cutting speed can be increased by using a curtain nozzle, for example. This type of nozzle has a special oxygen channel which protects the cutting oxygen jet from impurities, making higher cutting speeds possible.
Flame cutting can be used for cutting mild and low-alloyed steel in thicknesses up to more than 1000 mm. The cut quality also depends on the surface of the work piece and can be affected by different types of shop-primer. The use of several burners for straight cutting, phase cutting and joint preparation is an example of the versatility of the cutting process. The process is also easy to mechanize.
The use of fuel gases together with oxygen can give rise to dangerous situations if the user does not possess adequate knowledge of how gases, equipment and the necessary protective equipment are to be used.
Avoid risks by following the safety instructions for hot work.
