{"id":282,"date":"2021-08-28T07:30:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-28T07:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/welderacademy.com\/?p=282"},"modified":"2021-12-08T17:05:23","modified_gmt":"2021-12-08T17:05:23","slug":"gas-welding-vs-gas-cutting-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/welderacademy.com\/gas-welding-vs-gas-cutting-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Gas Welding vs. Gas Cutting: What’s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Both gas welding and gas cutting are highly sought out procedures by technicians in many industries. Although their working methodology is the same which is oxy-fuel combustion, the difference lies in the purpose. Among a wide array of resemblances, it can be difficult to figure out the dissimilarities of gas welding vs. gas cutting<\/strong> for average welders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the principle and equipment are the same, the choice of fuel remains the main difference. Also, the role of oxidation is different in the two. Gas cutting works in different stages whereas gas welding gets the job done in one continuous phase.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Have you ever seen those pictures that look exactly the same at first glance, but then they tell you there are 8 or 10 differences between the two and you have to find them? The discussion about Gas welding and gas cutting is kind of like that. Let\u2019s not waste any more time and just get on with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxy-fuel Combustion Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This one may seem out of context, but trust me, it is not. To know the difference between gas welding and gas cutting, first, you’ll have to know about the oxyfuel combustion process. Both gas welding and cutting work on the same principle which is oxy-fuel combustion, only the application and outcome are different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxy-fuel combustion is the process of burning fuel using oxygen. The purity of oxygen is the key here. Any change in the purity results in higher fuel consumption and low heat. So naturally, the speed of the procedure declines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two major applications of oxy-fuel combustion. Gas welding and gas cutting. In both processes, fuel is combusted using oxygen, then applied on a metal surface for joining or cutting purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Important Terms You Should Know<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are few important terms that you ought to know for better comprehension of the topic. Please go through these before heading on to the differences between gas welding and gas cutting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carburizing Flame:<\/strong>A reducing flame differs slightly from a carburizing flame. Both carburizing flame and reducing flame have lower oxygen and higher acetylene than neutral flame. But the carburizing flame has more acetylene content than the reducing flame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is suitable for welding lead and hardening the surface by adding carbon. On the other hand, the reducing flame does not carburize the metal; instead, it ensures the absence of oxidation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kindling Temperature: <\/strong>Kindling temperature has different names such as kindling point or autoignition temperature. It is the temperature at which a substance ignites into flame without any external source of heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kerf: <\/strong>Kerf is the width of the cut. To understand better, think of the slit that you make you run a knife through a cake or butter. That is the kerf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gas Welding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know the fundamentals of oxy-fuel combustion, you will easily grasp the concept of gas welding. Before we start, you should know that although many different types of gases and fuels are used in oxy-fuel combustion, they are primarily for gas cutting. For gas welding, acetylene is the primary and choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When acetylene and oxygen are mixed at the right proportion, they produce an extremely high-temperature flame. The flame is directed towards the weld area. The high-temperature flame melts the faces of the two metal pieces that you are welding and forms a weld pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The welding technician may or may not add filler metal. Then the welder gradually removes the flame from the weld pool, giving it enough time to harden without forming slag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Gas Welding Flames<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are three types of flame concerned with oxyacetylene welding. Flame is the most important aspect of gas welding. All the equipment and material are the means of controlling the flame. The three types are oxidizing flame, reducing flame, and neutral flame. Let’s discuss each of them briefly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neutral Flame:<\/strong> In a neutral flame, the oxygen and acetylene ratio is 1:1. However, it is called neutral not because of the balance in the ratio, but because it has no chemical effect on the metals that you are welding, unlike oxidizing and reducing flame. The temperature of the neutral flame is 5900\u00b0 Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two zones in a neutral flame. The inner bluish-white cone and a light blue envelope. A neutral flame is common for welding mild steel<\/a>, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, and aluminum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oxidizing Flame:<\/strong> Oxidizing flame has high oxygen content. Excess oxygen causes oxidation in most metals. That\u2019s why oxidizing flame is unsuitable for welding in most cases. It is only used to weld copper-based alloys, zinc-based alloys, manganese steel, and cast iron<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The oxidizing flame has a smaller white cone, more bluish and pointed compared to the neutral flame. The flame burns with a signature roaring noise. The temperature of the oxidizing flame is 6300\u00b0 Fahrenheit due to the increased oxygen ratio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reducing Flame:<\/strong> Reducing flame has less oxygen content than neutral flame. It has unique visual characteristics. The flame has three zones. An inner white cone, white acetylene feather, and bluish outer cone. Reducing flame has a temperature of 5500\u00b0 Fahrenheit which is the lowest among the three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the reducing nature, reducing flame may add carbon and remove oxygen from the weld metal, resulting in the formation of iron carbide. Due to this same nature, this flame is suitable for welding metals that have already undergone oxidation. Reducing flame is great for welding high carbon steels and cast iron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although people often use the terms reducing flame and carburizing flame interchangeably, there is a slight difference. I will get into that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gas welding offers a lot of convenience and flexibility to consumers. Here are some advantages of gas welding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n