Description: Oxy-fuel cutting is a combustion process. An oxygen jet burns the metal in a narrow section to make a cut and removes the combustion products (slag) from the kerf. The purity of the cutting oxygen is of key importance for the cutting speed that can be achieved. High purity oxygen means high productivity. Before oxy-fuel cutting can begin, the steel must be preheated to ignition temperature. This is done by means of an oxygen/fuel gas flame. The choice of fuel gas influences the cutting process with regard to quality, preheating times and the thickness of the material that can be cut with good results. The most critical part of the cutting equipment is the cutting nozzle. The performance of a nozzle rises with the increasing exit velocity of the cutting oxygen jet, which in turn depends on the design of the nozzle orifice. Working with fuel gases and oxygen can be risky if the person using the equipment does not have sufficient knowledge of the equipment and its installation, handling and care.
