Not just oxyfuel technology
The main characteristic of oxygen is that it is a comburent. Used for the thermal cutting (oxyfuel, plasma and laser) of carbon steel, precisely because it has the ability to react with the carbon contained in the steel generating heat that continues to feed the process.
-183 °C
Boiling point.
1,3139 J/mol
First ionization energy
Low ionization energy.
1,1052
Relative density
20,9% content in air, very close to the air density.
Related Gases
Acetylene for welding
Extremely unstable combustible gas under normal conditions. It is treated in special cylinders stabilised with a solvent: usually acetone. It generates a high flame temperature and remains the most productive fuel gas in this type of process.
Read more
Argon for welding
Inert gas, 1.38 times heavier than air. It has a low ionisation potential which facilitates the ignition and re-ignition of the arc, giving it a high stability, generating few fumes. Its low thermal input promotes conical penetration. Being heavier than air, it offers good air displacement. It is used as a base for welding mixtures.
Read more
Carbon Dioxide for welding
Oxidising gas 1.53 times denser than air, providing good protection. It has a low ionisation potential, which is why it began to be used in the MAG (Metal Active Gas) process. It generates energetic arcs due to dissociation and recombination but not very stable and not very fluid baths with a high rate of projections and fumes giving nut-like penetrations.
Read more
Helium for welding
Low density inert gas. It is not usually used pure. It has a high ionisation potential, which on the one hand provides low stability and costly ignitions, and on the other hand, the advantage of being able to work with extreme parameters. This, together with its high thermal conductivity, provides highly energetic arcs and very fluid baths, which increases the welding speed.
Read more