ESAB's experience in oxyfuel cutting dates back to 1907.

Oxy-fuel cutting is a chemical reaction between pure oxygen and steel to form iron oxide.  It can be described as rapid, controlled rusting.  Preheat flames are used to raise the surface or edge of the steel to approximately 1800°F (bright red color). Pure oxygen is then directed toward the heated area in a fine, high pressure stream. As the steel is oxidized and blown away to form a cavity, the preheat and oxygen stream are moved at constant speed to form a continuous cut.

Only metals whose oxides have a lower melting point than the base metal itself can be cut with this process. Otherwise as soon as the metal oxidizes it terminates the oxidation by forming a protective crust. Only low carbon steel and some low alloys meet the above condition and can be cut effectively with the oxy-fuel process.

A quality oxy-fuel cut has the following characteristics:

- Square top corner (with minimum radius)

- Cut face flat top to bottom (no undercut)

- Cut face square with respect to top surface

- Clean smooth surface with near vertical drag lines, and

- Little to no slag on bottom edge (easily removed by scraping)

Click here for detailed information about factors affecting oxy fuel cutting quality.

ESAB's line of oxy fuel cutting machines is the most extensive line on the market. Our cutting machines range in size from single torch portable machines perfect for small metal fabrication shops to extensive cutting systems custom built up to 90 feet wide. All of the machines utilize Oxweld^TM brand heavy-duty mechanized gas cutting torches and are available for use with Acetylene, Natural Gas, Propane or FG-2 fuel gases.