What is the Oxyfuel Acetylene Cutting and Welding?

In oxy-fuel cutting, a torch is applied to heat metal to its kindling temperature. A stream of oxygen is then focused on the metal, burning it into a metal oxide that flows out of the kerf as slag.

Torches that do not blend fuel with oxygen are not considered oxy-fuel torches and can commonly be distinguished by a single tank. Most metals can’t be liquefied with a single-tank torch. As a consequence, single-tank torches are normally apt for soldering and brazing but not for welding.

Primary Fuel in Oxyfuel Cutting

Acetylene is the main fuel for oxy-fuel welding&cutting  and is the fuel of choice for repair work and general cutting & welding. Acetylene gas is shipped in special cylinders designed to put the gas dissolved. The cylinders are packed with porous materials (e.g. kapok fibre, diatomaceous earth, or (formerly) asbestos), then occupied to around 50% capacity with acetone, as acetylene is dissolvable in acetone. This method is required because above 207 kPa (30 lbf/in²) (absolute pressure) acetylene is unstable and may explode.

There is about 1700 kPa (250 psi) pressure in the tank when full. Acetylene when combined with oxygen burns at 3200 °C to 3500 °C (5800 °F to 6300 °F), highest among commonly used gaseous fuels. As fuel acetylene's main drawbacks, in comparison to other fuels, is high expensive.

As acetylene is changeable at a pressure roughly equivalent to 33 feet/10 meters underwater, water immersed cutting and welding is reserved for hydrogen rather than acetylene.

Acetylene burns at the hottest temperature for both oxy-fuel cutting and welding. If you want to weld infrequently with your torch arrangement, then acetylene is the only fuel to take for your formation. It burns hot sufficient that metals can be effectively combined together. However, acetylene maintains to be expensive and unstable as a fuel. If you’re only cutting metal, acetylene will preheat the metal quickly, but it’s not necessarily the only cutting fuel option. If you want to save money, then you may want to consider propane as a cutting fuel.

Advantages:

-       The oxy acetylene cutting kit is very easy to apply and the process does not absorb a lot of your precious time.

-       The machinery used here is comparatively lesser than other kinds of welding rigs such as MIG or TIG welding ones.

-       The equipment is handier than most other types of welding rigs.

-       Oxy acetylene equipment can also be used to “flame-cut” large pieces of material.

-       In gas welding, the source of heat and filler metal are segregated unlike arc welding. This gives better control over filler-metal deposition rate.

Disadvantages:

-       The flame temperature is less than the temperature of the arc.

-       Since the heat generated is insufficient and hence heavy sections cannot be combined economically.

-       Flux-shielding in gas welding is not as effective as in case of TIG or MIG welding. The oxidation cannot be neglected fully.

-       More safety problems are combined with the storage and handling of explosive gases e.g., acetylene and oxygen.

-       Gas welding results in a larger heat affected area due to prolonged heating of joint.