Plasma cutting with O2?

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Can this be done? Use O2 instead of compressed air with a plasma cutter? It seems pure O2 could immensely increase the cutting capacity of a plasma cutter for those times you want to cut something thicker / cleaner / faster than your machine's normally capable of. If so, would you run similar pressures you would when cutting with acetylene?--Dan
Reply:Originally Posted by houlsterCan this be done? Use O2 instead of compressed air with a plasma cutter? It seems pure O2 could immensely increase the cutting capacity of a plasma cutter for those times you want to cut something thicker / cleaner / faster than your machine's normally capable of. If so, would you run similar pressures you would when cutting with acetylene?--Dan
Reply:No No No to this experiment.    There may be non oxygen compatible components or seals in the lines and valves of the plasma equpment.This could be the equivalent of oil in oxygen.NEVER Let oil come in contact with oxygen.I will not start stupid threads.Don't forget the upcoming air bumper test!
Reply:Very good point.  Well done Denrep!DennisThermal Arc 185-TSWMillermatic Challenger 172VictorO/AAtlas Craftsman 12 by 24 LatheEsab PCM-875Wholesalem Tool Mill-Drill
Reply:In the presence of lots of pure oxygen, lots of stuff, which ordinarily will not burn, will burn readily...maybe even explode.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Originally Posted by smithboyIn the presence of lots of pure oxygen, lots of stuff, which ordinarily will not burn, will burn readily...maybe even explode.
Reply:Originally Posted by smithboyIn the presence of lots of pure oxygen, lots of stuff, which ordinarily will not burn, will burn readily...maybe even explode.
Reply:I think the only reason for the compressed air is to blow away the melting metal anyway, isn't it?DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by RojodiabloAll  I thought of with the first post was....USS Forrestal. The ship was damaged badly, but when the liquid oxygen tank blew, it created the biggest cutting torch in history. Literally burned away tons of metal in a few seconds.
Reply:Originally Posted by littlefuzzI think the only reason for the compressed air is to blow away the melting metal anyway, isn't it?
Reply:My welding teacher mentioned this a week or 2 ago. He said the first plasma he used needed auxilary gas to blow the molten metal away, he said that it used inert gas mixes, like nitrogen, or some other mix, maybe that is the answer. I don't know though
Reply:Originally Posted by ejk49417My welding teacher mentioned this a week or 2 ago. He said the first plasma he used needed auxilary gas to blow the molten metal away, he said that it used inert gas mixes, like nitrogen, or some other mix, maybe that is the answer. I don't know though
Reply:Hi All!!Apollo 1 was the mission. You're on the right path there Paul...A few "things", variables have to happen with the gas or in some applications gases that are used in plasma cutting in order to make consistent cuts with excellent appearances and cut quality...one can learn more about these "things", variables by reading these .pdf files...http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/plasma/theory.pdfhttp://www.millerwelds.com/education...lasma_Book.pdf  Here's a page from ESAB which describes some of their latest technology in plasma cutting:http://www.m3plasma.com/Here are some .pdf articles on "High Definition plasma cutting", "Plasma gouging" and "Exploring "Dry" Cutting Technologies of Plasma Cutting" also from Hypertherm:https://www.hypertherm.com/languages...PDF/430024.pdfhttps://www.hypertherm.com/languages...ng_feature.pdfhttps://www.hypertherm.com/languages.../DryPlasma.pdfhttps://www.hypertherm.com/languages...fabarticle.pdfAll of these .pdf articles are good reference articles that will explain more in depth, how plasma cutting works, the different types of plasma cutting, gases used,how plasma cutting compares to other cutting processes and a whole bunch of interesting facts regarding plasma cutting...I hope you find these articles educational andf helpful!!!   Which leads me into bringing up the idea of creating a welding/Cutting/Fabrication reference Library here in this forum unless it's already been proposed by others... What do you think there Bob@ WDF or soon to be known as simply "welding"???   Respectfully,SSBN727 Attached Images"Run Silent...  Run Deep!!!
Reply:Seems Like A Waste Of Oxygen.you Could Just Use The [almost]free Airfrom A Cmopressor.theres Also Alot Of Safety Issuses.