What Is Oxyfuel Cutting?

Oxyfuel cutting is a process that uses a flame generated by burning oxygen and a fuel gas (such as acetylene) to cut through metal. The high-temperature flame heats the metal to its ignition point, and then a stream of oxygen burns away the molten metal, creating a precise cut. This method is commonly used in industrial applications to cut thicker steel plates, such as wear-resistant plates.

Basic Principles of Oxy fuel Cutting

The basic working principle of oxy-fuel cutting involves generating a high-temperature flame by burning fuel gas and oxygen to heat the metal above its melting point, followed by rapid cooling to create a cut. The specific steps are as follows:

Preheating Stage: The metal is heated to approximately 1,800°F (about 982°C) using a preheat flame.

Cutting Stage: After preheating, pure oxygen is directed onto the metal surface, causing a chemical reaction with the metal to form iron oxide and other byproducts, thereby achieving the cut.

Applications in the Specialty Steel Industry

• High-carbon Steel High-carbon steel is known for its hardness and brittleness, making it challenging to weld. Oxy-fuel welding can achieve high-quality welds with appropriate flame control and filler metal selection. For welding high-carbon steel, a neutral or slightly reducing flame is often used, and preheating the material to the proper temperature is crucial to prevent cracking.

• Wear-resistant Plates Wear-resistant plates, such as XAR® steel, are made from high-hardness alloys designed for superior abrasion resistance and good weldability. Oxy-fuel welding can be used for these plates, but it is important not to exceed a heat treatment temperature of 250°C during welding to maintain their hardness and wear resistance.

• Heat-resistant Plates Heat-resistant plates are used in high-temperature environments, such as aircraft engine components. Oxy-fuel welding can be used for these materials, but special care must be taken to control the flame temperature and uniformity to prevent material performance degradation due to localized overheating.

• Weather-resistant Plates Weather-resistant plates are special alloy steels designed to withstand corrosion in harsh weather conditions. Oxy-fuel welding can be employed for these materials as well, with careful flame control and appropriate preheating to ensure weld quality and durability.

• Acid-resistant Plates Acid-resistant plates are typically made from corrosion-resistant alloys like stainless steel or Hastelloy. Oxy-fuel welding can be used for these materials, but selecting the right filler metal and controlling the flame characteristics are essential to prevent corrosion issues in the weld area.

Summary

Oxy-fuel welding is a time-honored and widely used welding technique, particularly suitable for various types of specialty steel materials. By precisely controlling the flame characteristics and using appropriate filler metals, high-quality welding results can be achieved. However, operators must be familiar with the safe use and maintenance of the equipment to ensure the safety and efficiency of the welding process.