Slag Adherence Variation of Oxy Fuel Cutting Gases

Abstract

Oxy-fuel cutting otherwise known as flame or oxygen cutting is a method used to separate steel sections during metal fabrication wherein the process slag produced may adhere to the bottom of the cut face. Adherent slag is a detrimental factor on the cut quality and subsequent post processing activities. In this study, the slag adherence during oxy-propane and oxy-acetylene cutting of 8 mm and 16 mm mild steel plates was investigated. The cutting tests were performed according to nominal Harris chart parameters, which were set at predetermined ranges to simulate workshop conditions. This was preceded by experimental testing which included visual observation, surface roughness, hardness, microscopic and elemental analysis. Utilising the Harris chart prescribed cutting parameters generally yields a good quality cut with no adherent slag. The slag is prone to adherence on the thinner plate cut with oxy-acetylene and the thicker plate cut with oxy-propane due to a higher content of free iron in the slags.