Oxy Fuel Cutting

Oxy fuel cutting (OFC) processes sever metal by utilizing the chemical reaction of oxygen with metal at elevated temperatures. The required temperature is provided by the combustion of a fuel gas and oxygen (minimum 99.5% purity). The cutting action is supported by the pure oxygen stream. The torch used in the cutting process produces the preheating flame by mixing fuel gas with oxygen in the correct proportions to support combustion. It also provides a concentrated stream of pure oxygen to the base plate. This oxygen oxidizes the hot metal and removes it from the joint area. Depending upon the fuel gas selected and the particular application, different cutting tips and torch mixing chambers are used. Among the fuel gases used are acetylene, FG-2^™, propylene, propane, and natural gas.

Why use Oxy Fuel Cutting?

• Steels can generally be cut faster when compared to mechanical means
• Basic manual equipment is low cost, very portable, versatile and safe to use
• Thick and thin plates can be cut rapidly with mechanized systems
• An economical method of plate edge preparation for bevel operations
• Can be used to easily cut rusty and scaled plate
• Only moderate skill is required to produce acceptable results

Limitations

• Dimensional tolerances are not as precise when compared with other cutting processes
• Limited to cutting carbon and cast steels
• Care must be taken to minimize fire and burn hazards resulting from the process
• Hardenable and other specialty alloy materials may require preheat, post-heat or both upon completion of the cutting process For optimum performance, cutting tips must be closely matched to the base material thickness being cut

Hand Cutting Operating Chart

* 3/8 outside diameter (OD) minimum hose requirement.

Machine Cutting Operating Chart