Which cutting method is achieved when an arc is struck between the cutting rod and steel, bringing the steel temperature to its kindling temperature?

Which cutting method is achieved when an arc is struck between the cutting rod and steel, bringing the steel temperature to its kindling temperature?

• A. Oxy-fuel cutting
• B. Plasma arc cutting
• C. Laser cutting
• D. Oxy arc cutting

Answer: (D)

The situation tests knowing which cutting method uses an electric arc between a cutting rod and the workpiece to heat the metal to its ignition point and then burns it away with oxygen. In oxy arc cutting, the arc between the carbon cutting rod and the steel provides the intense, localized heat needed to bring the steel to its kindling (ignition) temperature. Once there, the oxygen from the cutting stream oxidizes the steel, and the reaction and mechanical blow-away of melted metal create the cut. This differs from other methods that rely on flames or other energy forms: oxy-fuel cutting uses a fuel gas flame to heat, then oxygen to burn, without an electric arc; plasma arc cutting uses a plasma jet to melt and blow away metal; laser cutting uses a focused laser beam to melt or vaporize material. So the arc between the cutting rod and steel, driving ignition and oxidation with oxygen, is characteristic of oxy arc cutting.

The situation tests knowing which cutting method uses an electric arc between a cutting rod and the workpiece to heat the metal to its ignition point and then burns it away with oxygen. In oxy arc cutting, the arc between the carbon cutting rod and the steel provides the intense, localized heat needed to bring the steel to its kindling (ignition) temperature. Once there, the oxygen from the cutting stream oxidizes the steel, and the reaction and mechanical blow-away of melted metal create the cut.

This differs from other methods that rely on flames or other energy forms: oxy-fuel cutting uses a fuel gas flame to heat, then oxygen to burn, without an electric arc; plasma arc cutting uses a plasma jet to melt and blow away metal; laser cutting uses a focused laser beam to melt or vaporize material. So the arc between the cutting rod and steel, driving ignition and oxidation with oxygen, is characteristic of oxy arc cutting.