Oxyfuel cutting requires that the operator carefully control the cutting speed so as to maintain the oxidizing process. Plasma cutting is also cost and energy-efficient, offering a 1:2 ratio per cut over oxygen cutting.

9 In some instances, a second stream of gas may also be employed. Based purely on cutting speed, it looks as if plasma is faster than a single oxy-fuel torch all the way up to 2.75 inches. Air or nitrogen are more usual at mechanised cutting although oxygen and mixtures of argon/hydrogen or argon/nitrogen are all employed.
Carbon steel and stainless steel can be cut with oxygen or nitrogen, while aluminium should be cut with nitrogen. For coating with low-pressure plasma, gaseous or liquid monomers are introduced which polymerise under the influence of the plasma. Plasma is more forgiving in this regard. The process uses hot electrodes to cut through electrically conductive materials.

That is why pure Oxygen is only used when cutting mild steel, or ‘carbon steel’. Most oxygen plasma cutting uses air assist gas, but pure oxygen shielding has its benefits on thin-gauge material as well as in some specialty holemaking applications. For mild steel use oxygen plasma and air shield for the best, clean cut quality, lowest dross levels, minimal rework,... For best cut quality on stainless and aluminum under 1/2" use nitrogen plasma and air secondary for a good balance of... For best cut … The result is the chart below, which plots the cutting speeds of five different plasma systems versus the equivalent cutting speed of cutting with 1 oxy-fuel torch, 2 torches, 3 torches, and 4 torches.

Invented back in 1955 by ESAB, this method can be used for cutting on materials of up to 6 inches thick. That chemical reaction between the Oxygen in the plasma gas and the base metal helps to speed up the cutting process and improve the edge quality. To hear audio, click on the box. Coating with plasma polymerisation. That is why pure Oxygen is only used when cutting mild steel, or ‘carbon steel’. These include copper, titanium, steel, iron, and alloys. Oxyfuel cutting requires that the operator carefully control the cutting speed so as to maintain the oxidizing process. Plasma is more forgiving in this regard. Effectively, nitrogen-water injection could cut any metal. Plasma cutting is versatile and compatible with a wide range of materials. Plasma cutting really shines in some niche applications, such as cutting expanded metal, something that is nearly impossible with oxyfuel. The same reason you use Oxygen in an acetylene torch – the Oxygen in the plasma stream reacts with mild steel. The use of an inert gas produces a cleaner cut, but at the cost of cutting speed. That chemical reaction between the Oxygen in the plasma gas and the base metal helps to speed up the cutting process and improve the edge quality. 6.0.0 Safety Procedures . Plasma cutting is ideal for cutting steel, and non-ferrous material less than 1 inch thick. Oxy-fuel cutting is a thermal cutting process that uses oxygen and fuel gas (such as acetylene, propane, MAPP, propylene and natural gas) to cut through materials. LongLife plasma cutting systems. For cutting most metals, an active gas increases the cutting energy input, but tends to leave oxidation products on the kerf face. Plasma equipment is considered to be better value for money, as well. Plasma cutting is one of the fastest cutting processes on aluminum, carbon steel, and stainless steel.