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Industrial gases are essential to a wide range of fuel and cutting applications. Choosing the right gases is crucial to maximizing efficiency, accuracy and safety. With Meritus Gas, you can connect with gas and welding supplies distributors that support your operations.
Cutting and fuel applications encompass many types of gases that offer unique benefits based on their use.
Oxygen is the industry standard for cutting mild steel because it offers a clean and fast cut. When oxygen plasma gas interacts with carbon steel, it produces a fine spray that’s easy to eject from the kerf.
In oxy-fuel cutting applications, oxygen is mixed with a fuel gas like propylene or acetylene to create different types of flames for cutting. Some gases offer a hotter flame than others, which is ideal for specific metals.
Welders will often use nitrogen for plasma-cutting aluminum and stainless steel. This gas is also used for laser-cutting applications. Increasing nitrogen pressure enhances the cutting speeds, allowing for a clean cut for mild steel and thick stainless steel sheets. Nitrogen for cutting applications requires specific purities for a clean cut. Sourcing this gas from trusted suppliers is essential for successful laser-cutting processes.
Acetylene (C2H2) is a fuel gas often used in oxy-fuel applications. This fuel gas is the hottest and most efficient one available and can offer impressive productivity for cutting and welding applications. Acetylene is the only fuel gas that can be used to cut steel, and it’s lighter than air, making it ideal for underground working conditions.
Acetylene’s low hydrogen content makes it ideal for oxy-fuel cutting and welding. As a cutting fuel, the flame’s inner cone contains around 507 British Thermal Units (BTUs), while the outer cone provides around 963 BTUs. These characteristics allow for swift piercing with a small heat-affected zone.
Propane (C3H8) is an excellent fuel alternative to natural gas because it burns cleanly and offers a high octane rating for combustion engines. It’s an inherent by-product of natural gas and powers various appliances, from water heaters and refrigerators to industrial equipment. Propane forklifts are becoming increasingly popular, offering long run times and clean burning for indoor use.
In addition to powering many critical devices, propane can also serve oxy-fuel applications. In particular, oxy-propane is employed for preheating before using oxy-acetylene. While propane can generate as high a temperature as acetylene, it’s a cost-effective option that offers high enough temperatures for preheating.
Hydrogen (H) is used to power fuel cells that generate carbon-free electrical power. The concept of hydrogen power is not new, but many fuel cell technologies are still in development. Most commonly, these fuel cells help produce biofuels. As a cleaner alternative to other known fuel sources, hydrogen fuel cells may become more common and accessible as technology advances.
In addition to hydrogen’s role in fuel cell technology, it’s also used in generator cooling and chemical processing.
Selecting the ideal gas for a particular fuel-cutting method depends on several factors:
The right equipment is just as important as choosing the ideal gas for optimal cutting.
This method uses a combination of oxygen and a fuel gas such as acetylene or propane. A typical oxy-fuel cutting system comprises:
To keep this system performing optimally, clean the tips and inspect the regulators regularly for leaks. Also, ensure the hoses are in good condition.
Plasma cutting uses ionized gas (plasma) and electricity to create a high-temperature arc for cutting conductive materials, including aluminum, brass and copper. The plasma cutting system consists of a plasma torch which directs the arc to the workpiece, power supply and an air or nitrogen supply. Plasma cutters require periodic cleaning of the torch, nozzle and electrodes to maintain cutting performance.
Laser cutting uses high-energy laser beams to melt and vaporize metal for precise cuts. The system consists of a laser head to focus the beam, a laser source and a gas (usually oxygen or nitrogen) that helps remove the molten material from the cut area. Regular maintenance of the laser source and focusing lens is critical to maintain the beam’s precision.
Cutting gases are invaluable in numerous industrial processes:
Meritus Gas Partners is a group of independently operated gas suppliers housed under a single corporate umbrella. This structure allows Meritus Gas to provide the enterprise resources our suppliers need while offering attentive customer service and a personal touch that leads to long-term relationships.
Our partners are located throughout the United States to make their gases accessible to you. Learn more about each of our partners:
Find a partner near you to order the gases you need for fuel and cutting applications. You can also reach out to the Meritus Gas team to learn more about our business model.