Almost all the metalworkers would agree that as metal cutting tools, plasma cutters and oxyfuel torches both are popular techniques. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages, as well as cheerleaders and detractors. Therefore, sometimes it becomes very difficult to choose between them. The choice mainly depends on the application, the material used, or even the thickness type of the material to be cut. It also depends on the quality of the cuts, the operational costs, even the location of the job and many other factors.
So, in this blog, we will evaluate some of these factors and try to find which one is better.
Type of materials
Plasma torch primarily works with most electrically conducted metals. For example, carbon steel, cast iron and even stainless steel. But if you want to use the plasma torch on non-ferrous metals like aluminium, brass and steel, it will easily work on that. Whereas the Oxyfuel cutters only work on the metals that are easily oxidized.
The thickness of the metals
Plasma torch is mainly used for metals with thicknesses up to 2 inches thick, although they can cut metals which are 6 inches thick as well. Also, it can cut the materials faster than oxyfuel torches leading to little or no metal deformation. Oxyfuel torches are mostly used to cut thicker carbon between 2-12 inches.
Quality of the Cut
Plasma torch is well known for making the most accurate cuts as they cut faster without any slag, resulting in more clean cuts than the oxyfuel torches. When you use the oxyfuel torch, cutting quality mostly depends on the operator's skill. Another factor is the need for preheating. In Plasma Cutting, you don't need to preheat the workpiece as you need to do it with an oxyfuel system- and that saves a lot of time.
The bottom line is both cutting methods are useful when it's about the job being done. But each has its own characteristics and has some advantages relying on the thickness and type of the material. If you want to buy quality plasma torches, visit to canaweld.
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