What principle does oxyfuel cutting work on?

What principle does oxyfuel cutting work on?

• A. Rapid oxidation
• B. Melting
• C. Thermal diffusion
• D. Vaporization

Answer: (A)

Oxyfuel cutting works on rapid oxidation of the metal. The edge of the metal is heated with a fuel-air flame to the temperature at which oxidation can proceed quickly. Once the hot metal is exposed to a jet of pure oxygen, it reacts vigorously with the oxygen to form metal oxide. This oxidation releases heat and produces oxide that is expelled by the oxygen jet, creating a cut. The removal mechanism is the chemical reaction turning metal into oxide plus the physical blow-away of that oxide, not melting or turning the metal into vapor.

Oxyfuel cutting works on rapid oxidation of the metal. The edge of the metal is heated with a fuel-air flame to the temperature at which oxidation can proceed quickly. Once the hot metal is exposed to a jet of pure oxygen, it reacts vigorously with the oxygen to form metal oxide. This oxidation releases heat and produces oxide that is expelled by the oxygen jet, creating a cut. The removal mechanism is the chemical reaction turning metal into oxide plus the physical blow-away of that oxide, not melting or turning the metal into vapor.