1. Oxyfuel Cutting
Module /

2. 1. Identify and explain the use of oxyfuel cutting equipment.
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Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the trainee will be able to do the following:
1. Identify and explain the use of oxyfuel cutting equipment.
2. State the safety precautions for using oxyfuel equipment.
3. Set up oxyfuel cutting equipment.
4. Light and adjust an oxyfuel torch.
5. Shut down oxyfuel cutting equipment.
6. Disassemble oxyfuel equipment.
7. Change empty cylinders.
8. Perform oxyfuel cutting:
• Straight line and square shapes
• Piercing and slot cutting
• Bevels
• Washing
9. Apply a rosebud flame to remove frozen components (also for preheat and expanding larger fittings).
10. Operate a motorized, portable oxyfuel gas cutting machine.

3. 1. Set up oxyfuel equipment. 2. Light and adjust an oxyfuel torch.
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Performance Tasks
1. Set up oxyfuel equipment.
2. Light and adjust an oxyfuel torch.
3. Shut down and disassemble oxyfuel cutting equipment.
4. Perform oxyfuel cutting:
• Straight line and square shapes
• Piercing and slot cutting
• Bevels
• Washing
5. Operate a track burner.

4. Introduction
Also called flame cutting or burning – uses the flame and oxygen from a cutting torch to cut ferrous metals(metals containing iron)
The flame is from a fuel gas mixed with pure oxygen
The flame heats the metal to the kindling temperature, then a stream of high pressure pure oxygen is directed from the torch at the metals surface – this causes the metal to instantaneously oxidize or burn
Oxides mix with molten iron to produce dross(the material that is expelled from the kerf when cutting using a thermal process)

5. Introduction
Oxyfuel cutting is used on ferrous metals because they oxidize rapidly
Oxyfuel cutting can also be used for certain metal alloys, like stainless steel – this requires higher preheat temperatures and more oxygen for cutting

6. Safety
Clothing and equipment – always use safety goggles or glasses with a full face shield or helmet – the shield or helmet must have the proper light reducing tint for the type of welding or cutting to be performed
Never look directly or indirectly at an electric arc without using a proper lens
Wear leather or flame retardant clothing
Wear leather welding gloves
Wear 8-inch or taller safety shoes or boots covered by a pant leg

7. Safety
For overhead cutting or welding wear a solid material hat or a full leather hood with a welding face plate
Use earmuffs to block noise and to prevent burns to the ears – you can use earplugs to filter out the noise as well
The heat and light produced by cutting or welding can damage the skin and eyes(permanent loss of vision)
Oxyfuel cutting and welding can cause mild burns to the skin because of infrared heat
Welding or cutting involving an electric arc can produce UV radiation – can cause severe burns to the eyes and exposed skin and permanent damage to the retina

8. Safety
Never directly or indirectly view an electric arc without wearing properly tinted lens designed for electric arc use
For oxyfuel cutting or welding wear welding goggles (shades 4 to 6) OVER safety glasses
For electric arc operations a leather hood or welding helmet with a tinted lens (shades 9 to 14) must be worn over safety glasses
Some may require other safety glasses or goggles based on the MSDS

9. Ventilation
You must have adequate ventilation to remove fumes produced by welding or cutting processes
The gases, dust, and fumes can be hazardous
The welding area must contain at least 10,000 cubic feet of air for each welded
There must be air circulation
Partitions, structural barriers, or equipment must not block air circulation
Avoid inhaling welding or cutting fumes
The fumes and smoke generally rise straight up

10. Respirators
Special metals require the use of respirators to protect from harmful fumes
Three main types of respirators – air-purifying respirators, supplied-air respirators, self-contained breathing apparatus
Make sure they are clean, put together properly, no missing parts

11. Air-purifying respirators
Lowest level of protection
Use filters to remove specific gases, vapors, and particles from the air
4 groups – no maintenance, low maintenance, reusable, powered air-purifying respirators(PAPRs)
No and low maintenance – half mask respirators not for constant use – non replaceable filters
Reusable – half or full face – replaceable cartridges
PAPRs – half, full, or hood style – battery operated blowers pull air through the filters

12. Supplied-Air Respirators
Supply air for extended period of time
Typically used in toxic atmospheres
Some can be used in atmospheres that are IDLH
Two types – continuous-flow and pressure demand
Continuous flow – air provided at a constant stream – one or two hoses deliver air to the face piece – unless designed to filter the pump must be located where there is breathable air
Pressure demand – supply air when the user inhales

13. SCBA Highest level of protection
Provide air from 30 to 60 minutes from a compressed-air cylinder
Select the proper type of respirator for the job, make sure you are properly trained on use of the respirator
Do a positive and negative fit check before use

14. Figure 13 – Use the right respirator for the job
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Figure 13 – Use the right respirator for the job

15. Table 1 – Effects of an increase or decrease in oxygen levels
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Table 1 – Effects of an increase or decrease in oxygen levels

16. Work Areas
You must be aware of your work space – is it a confined space – does it have the potential to ignite – can you get out if needed
Keep area clean – things you can trip over – things that can catch on fire
If you are finished working use soapstone to write the word HOT on it before you leave
Make sure you have proper ventilation

17. You may have to get a hot work permit to perform work that may pose a fire hazard
If working in an area that may pose a fire hazard, you need to have a fire watch person
Containers must be steam cleaned, flushed with water, or washed with a detergent until all traces of the material have been removed
After cleaning, fill it with water or an inert gas (argon or CO2) to prevent ignition

18. Figure 16 – Hot work permit
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Figure 16 – Hot work permit

19. Cylinder storage and handling
Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders or other flammable materials must be stored separately
All cylinders must be stored vertically and have protective caps screwed on firmly
Secure with a chain or other device so it cannot be knocked over accidentally
Store away from halls, stairwells, or exits so they will not block an escape route
Store away from heat, radiators, furnaces, and welding sparks

20. Store where they cannot be tampered with
If cylinders are not in use they must have a valve protection cap to prevent the valve from breaking off
In gaseous form, acetylene is extremely unstable and explodes easily – its pressure must remain below 15 psi
If tipped over, stand the tank upright and wait at least 30 minutes before use
When using, open the cylinders no more than one and a half turns – preferably no more than three-fourths

21. Equipment
The equipment used for oxyfuel cutting – oxygen and fuel gas cylinders, oxygen and fuel gas regulators, hoses, and a cutting torch, and possibly a torch cart
Oxygen – colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that supports combustion – combined with burning material, pure O2 allows a fire to flare and burn out of control – when mixed with fuel gases O2 produces high temperature flames required to cut metals
O2 cylinders come in different sizes – have a bronze control valve with a safety valve in case the pressure gets too high

22. Acetylene – a compound of carbon and hydrogen formed when calcium carbide is dissolved in water – strong garlic like odor
In gaseous form it is extremely unstable and explodes easily – it cannot be compressed more than 15 psi
When combined with O2, it creates a flame that burns hotter than 5,500 F
Cylinders are specially constructed to hold acetylene – they are filled with a porous material soaked with acetone to absorb the acetylene and help it stay stable

23. Acetylene tanks must be stored upright – if turned over wait at least 30 minutes before using
Do not withdraw the gas at a rate higher than 15psig and at an hourly rate more than one-tenth of the cylinder capacity
They have a safety plug that will melt if the temperature gets too hot (220 F) so the cylinder will not explode

24. Figure 21 – High-pressure oxygen cylinder markings and sizes
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Figure 21 – High-pressure oxygen cylinder markings and sizes

25. Figure 25 – Acetylene cylinder markings and sizes
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Figure 25 – Acetylene cylinder markings and sizes

26. Table 2 – Flame temperatures of oxygen with various fuel gases
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Table 2 – Flame temperatures of oxygen with various fuel gases

27. Figure 27 – Liquefied fuel gas cylinder
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Figure 27 – Liquefied fuel gas cylinder

28. Regulators/hoses
Regulators reduce the cylinder pressures to the required working pressures and maintain a steady flow of gas
Most have two gauges –a high pressure and a low pressure
Oxygen regulators are often green and have right hand threads and fuel gas are painted red and have left hand threads
Oxygen hoses are green or black
Fuel gas hoses are red

29. Transparency 10
Figure 30 – Heavy-duty three-tube one-piece positive-pressure hand cutting torch

30. Figure 32 – One- and two-piece cutting tips
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Figure 32 – One- and two-piece cutting tips

31. Table 3 – Sample acetylene cutting tip chart
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Table 3 – Sample acetylene cutting tip chart

32. Figure 33 – Typical acetylene torch cutting tips
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Figure 33 – Typical acetylene torch cutting tips

33. Figure 34 – Typical cutting tips for liquefied fuel gases
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Figure 34 – Typical cutting tips for liquefied fuel gases

34. Figure 35 – Special-purpose torch cutting tips
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Figure 35 – Special-purpose torch cutting tips

35. Always use a friction lighter to light the torch
You can use soapstone to mark your cuts because it can be seen through the tinted lens

36. Figure 66 – Typical empty cylinder marking
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Figure 66 – Typical empty cylinder marking

37. Figure 68 – Cutting thin steel
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Figure 68 – Cutting thin steel

38. Figure 69 – Cutting thick steel
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Figure 69 – Cutting thick steel

39. Figure 70 – Steps for piercing steel
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Figure 70 – Steps for piercing steel

40. Figure 71 – Cutting a bevel
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Figure 71 – Cutting a bevel

41. Transparency 21
Figure 72 - Washing

42. Figure 74 – Victor track burner controls
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Figure 74 – Victor track burner controls