Oxyfuel gas cutting, also known as oxygen cutting, is a process in which a combination of oxygen and fuel gases is used to cut metal. This process is commonly used for cutting ferrous metals such as steel and cast iron.
The oxygen reacts with the metal, causing it to heat up to its ignition temperature and ignite. The heat generated by the reaction between the oxygen and metal is sufficient to melt or burn through the metal. The fuel gas, usually acetylene, helps to maintain the flame temperature and increase the cutting speed.
Oxyfuel gas cutting is not effective on non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, brass, and copper because these metals have a lower ignition temperature and their surface does not react easily with oxygen. Non-ferrous metals are typically cut with other methods such as plasma cutting or laser cutting.
Overall, oxyfuel gas cutting is a widely used process for cutting ferrous metals due to its low cost, simplicity, and versatility. However, it is important to use proper safety precautions and equipment when performing oxyfuel gas cutting to avoid potential hazards such as fire, explosion, and toxic gas exposure.
References
—. “Oxy-Fuel Welding and Cutting – Wikipedia.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 20 Feb. 2004, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxy-fuel_welding_and_cutting.