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Carbon cutting or air carbon arc cutting uses an electric
arc to melt metal. It blows away the melted or molten metal through the use of
compressed air that is sent out in a high velocity jet. Instead of being a
chemical reaction as in many processes it is a physical one and can be used
with most metals.

Generally this type of cutting is used by industries like
mines, construction and quarries to remove stainless welds or hard surfaces.
They also use this method when they are preparing cast iron or manganese steel
for repairs. Other uses for this method are to cut steel plates that may have
been imbedded into concrete or to cut pilings where you don’t want to remove
back fill.

This method only needs a regular power source for the
cutting with sufficient amperage — between 150 -600 amps depending on the
electrode size, and Direct Current Reverse Polarity. Cutting can be made on
most metals including iron, steel, stainless steel, copper and nickel alloys
and iron; it can also be used with aluminum. The air pressure needed is
generally provided by any canister of compressed air that is 80-100 psi for air
pressure.

In most cases a heavy duty welding machine will do this
cutting and has to have a constant current. Some applications of this cutting
do use alternating currents and they must use an AC type of carbon electrode.

Carbon arc cutting is used to cut metal but it is also used
to gouge out any defects in a metal, it can remove bad welds and it can prepare
grooves that are waiting for welding. This cutting produces a small cut so that
the metal that surrounds the area that is being worked on doesn’t go to high
temperatures because the metal is removed quickly after it is melted. Also,
because this process is quick, it reduces the tendency of the metal to crack or
become distorted. The process usually is a manual process rather than an
automated one.

Carbon Arc Cutting isn’t recommended if the welder is going
to do weld preparation for the following metals: titanium, stainless steel,
zirconium or other types of metals that need cleaning before they are cut. They
will have to be cleaned thoroughly through grinding so that any carbonized
material next to the cut is completely cleaned away. However, when these
materials need to be scraped to remelt them , this process can be used.

There are a few safety precautions that must be taken into
consideration when dong carbon arc cutting. Metal deflection plates must be put
up if the welder is gouging because the air blast that is used can make molten
metal travel over several feet.

It is important to also move any materials that are
combustible because the molten metal can become a fire hazard since it travels
at such a high level. This is also a very loud process so some type of ear
protection should be worn by the person cutting the arc.

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Tags: ac type, air pressure, alternating currents, amperage, carbon arc, carbon electrode, electric arc, electrode size, high temperatures, high velocity, iron steel, manganese steel, molten metal, nickel alloys, pilings, quarries, reverse polarity, steel plates, welding machine, welds

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