Air carbon arc cutting, also referred to as metal arc gouging, and previously as air arc cutting,[1] is an arc cutting process where metal is cut and melted by the heat of a carbon arc. Molten metal is then removed by a blast of air. It employs a consumable carbon or graphite electrode to melt the material, which is then blown away by an air jet.
This process is useful for cutting a variety of materials, but it is most often used for cutting and gouging aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium, and carbon and stainless steel. Because the metal is blown away by the air jet, it does not need to be oxidized. This process differs from plasma cutting operations because in air carbon cutting an open, unconstricted arc is used, and the arc operates separately from the air jet.
Air pressure for the jet usually varies from 60 to 100 psi (4-7 bar). The carbon electrode can be worn away by oxidation due to heat buildup. This can be reduced by coating the electrodes with copper.
As the sharpened carbon electrode is drawn along the metal, an arc forms and melts the metal. The air jet is used to blow away molten material. This can be dangerous, as the molten material can be blown substantial distances.[2] The process is also very noisy. Metal removal is rapid, and when properly done, a smooth half-cylindrical cavity is created.[3]
SweetHaven Publishing Services, “Fundamentals of Professional Engineering”, 2001, (April 17, 2008).
April 10, 2024
carbon, cutting, also, referred, metal, gouging, previously, cutting, cutting, process, where, metal, melted, heat, carbon, molten, metal, then, removed, blast, employs, consumable, carbon, graphite, electrode, melt, material, which, then, blown, away, this, p. Air carbon arc cutting also referred to as metal arc gouging and previously as air arc cutting 1 is an arc cutting process where metal is cut and melted by the heat of a carbon arc Molten metal is then removed by a blast of air It employs a consumable carbon or graphite electrode to melt the material which is then blown away by an air jet This process is useful for cutting a variety of materials but it is most often used for cutting and gouging aluminum copper iron magnesium and carbon and stainless steel Because the metal is blown away by the air jet it does not need to be oxidized This process differs from plasma cutting operations because in air carbon cutting an open unconstricted arc is used and the arc operates separately from the air jet Air pressure for the jet usually varies from 60 to 100 psi 4 7 bar The carbon electrode can be worn away by oxidation due to heat buildup This can be reduced by coating the electrodes with copper As the sharpened carbon electrode is drawn along the metal an arc forms and melts the metal The air jet is used to blow away molten material This can be dangerous as the molten material can be blown substantial distances 2 The process is also very noisy Metal removal is rapid and when properly done a smooth half cylindrical cavity is created 3 See also editGas cutting Plasma cuttingReferences edit Jeffus Larry 1997 Welding principles and applications 4th ed Cengage Learning p 191 ISBN 978 0 8273 8240 4 Serope Kalpakjian Steven R Schmid Manufacturing Engineering and Technology Upper Saddle River NJ Pearson Prentice Hall 2006 Miller Duane 2017 Appendix A4 Welded Connections Design Guide Vol 21 2nd ed American Institute of Steel Construction p 38 External links editSweetHaven Publishing Services Fundamentals of Professional Engineering 2001 1 April 17 2008 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Air carbon arc cutting amp oldid 1170276604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
