What metals can be cut using plasma arc cutting?

What metals can be cut using plasma arc cutting?

• A. Only non-conductive metals
• B. All metals
• C. Any metals that are electrically conductive
• D. Metals with low melting point

Answer: (C)

Plasma arc cutting relies on an electrical arc to heat and melt the metal, and that arc must complete a circuit through the workpiece. The torch creates a plasma jet and forms the arc between its electrode and the metal; current flows from the power supply through the plasma and into the workpiece. For the arc to form and maintain cutting, the workpiece must be electrically conductive, providing a path back to the power supply. Because of this, plasma cutting works on metals that conduct electricity, while non-conductive materials cannot be cut this way. The ability to cut isn’t about having a low melting point; metals with high melting points can still be cut as long as they are conductive.

Plasma arc cutting relies on an electrical arc to heat and melt the metal, and that arc must complete a circuit through the workpiece. The torch creates a plasma jet and forms the arc between its electrode and the metal; current flows from the power supply through the plasma and into the workpiece. For the arc to form and maintain cutting, the workpiece must be electrically conductive, providing a path back to the power supply. Because of this, plasma cutting works on metals that conduct electricity, while non-conductive materials cannot be cut this way. The ability to cut isn’t about having a low melting point; metals with high melting points can still be cut as long as they are conductive.