Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting or plasma arc cutting is a process in which a stream of ionised gas at temperatures ranging above 18,000°C is used to melt and remove material from the cut. In this process, an electric arc is struck between the electrode (cathode) and the work piece (anode). The electrode is placed in a water- or air-cooled gas nozzle which compresses or tightens the arc producing the narrow plasma jet with high temperature and velocity.
When this plasma jet is incident on the work piece, recombination takes place spontaneously and the gas is returned back to its normal state, generating intense heat in the process. This heat melts the metal and the gas flow will then blow it away from the cut. Plasma gases are usually a combination of gases such as argon, hydrogen or nitrogen.
The cutting thickness recommended for plasma cutting is between 15-50 mm.The upper limit of material thickness is about 45-50 mm for carbon and stainless steel. Aluminium should not go past 40 mm.
Advantages
- It is possible to cut all conductive materials with the plasma cutting process.
- For thickness upto 50 mm, cuts of high quality can be achieved.
- It can cut up to a maximum thickness of 150 mm.
- A cheaper alternative compared to other medium thickness cuts.
- The best option to cut medium thickness stainless steel and aluminium.
- Smaller cutting width of material compared to flame cutting.
- The cutting speed is quite fast.