Oxygen is commonly used as a cutting gas, particularly for cutting and welding steel. The high-temperature flame produced by burning oxygen reacts with the metal, producing iron oxide slag that is easily removed.
Acetylene is another popular cutting gas that provides a high-temperature flame. It is often used in combination with oxygen for cutting and welding applications. Acetylene is particularly useful for cutting thick metals and is commonly used in the construction and shipbuilding industries.
Natural gas is used in cutting and welding applications where a high-temperature flame is not required. It is often used for heating and brazing applications.
Plasma cutting is a high-precision cutting method that uses a high-temperature plasma arc to cut metals. The plasma arc is created by passing an electric current through a gas, usually a mixture of argon and hydrogen, which is then forced through a nozzle to create the plasma arc.