Print this page Introduction to Gas Welding and Cutting
A. Bhatia, B.E.
Course Outline
Oxy-fuel process uses heat created by combustion of fuel (commonly acetylene) to melt the base material and create fusion bond with or without a filler material. It is extremely versatile process and has tremendous power of creating, repairing and destroying the work of man.
This 4 hours online course provides understanding of oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, as well as safety practices.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the reader will be knowledgeable about:
- The principles of oxy-acetylene process;
- Types of gases and their potential applications;
- Advantages and limitations of oxy-acetylene process;
- Identify oxy-gas equipment, cylinder types, their identification and storage;
- Use of ancillary equipment such as hoses, regulators, blowpipes and safety devices;
- Oxy-acetylene welding and cutting practices;
- Proper operation, care and safe handling of oxy-acetylene equipment;
- Types of flames and their uses;
- Selection of tip size for fuel pressures to obtain a neutral flame;
- Equipment assembly and testing procedures;
- Lighting up and shutting down procedures;
- Identify operational faults and immediate action to be taken; and
- Understand safe practices in use of oxy-acetylene equipment.
Intended Audience
This course is aimed at anyone who has to operate oxy-acetylene/propane cutting equipment for use in the repair and maintenance of plant and equipment, and any supervisors/managers overseeing this operation.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendees of this course will help you get started welding using the oxy-acetylene apparatus and understand the safety features associated with each component. The course will be extremely helpful to the readers who desire to build on their knowledge on oxy-acetylene process and the skilled professionals who have learnt the trade informally on the job.
Course Introduction
Oxy-fuel welding is a process that uses heat created by a gas flame to melt the base material. The gas flame created by combustion of oxygen and acetylene produces temperatures of 5600 to 6000 degrees, which is the hottest of any gas flame and is capable of melting almost any metal. In case of welding, two parts are brought to a molten condition along the line to be joined and fused together. In cutting operation, one piece of metal is brought to a red heat and is then cut in two by an oxidizing flame. Oxy-acetylene cutting can be used to cut thicknesses from 2/8″ to up to 12″.
This course provides understanding of oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, as well as safety practices.
Course Content
This course content is in the following PDF document:
Introduction to Gas Welding and Cutting
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Course Summary
Oxy-acetylene welding is simple in concept - two pieces of metal are brought together, and the touching edges are melted by the flame with or without the addition of filler rod. Cutting with the oxy-fuel process is just the opposite from of welding. Oxy-fuel cutting uses acetylene and oxygen to preheat metal to red hot and then uses pure oxygen to burn away the preheated metal. Because this is achieved by oxidation, it is only effective on metals that are easily oxidized at this temperature. Such metals are mild steel and low allow steels.
A standard oxy-acetylene equipment setup consists of an oxygen tank, an acetylene tank, regulator and gauges, gas hoses, a torch and tip. Characteristics of the oxy-acetylene welding process include:
- Its ability to switch quickly to a cutting process, by changing the welding tip to a cutting tip;
- The high temperature the gas mixture attains (~5800°F);
- The use of regulators to control gas flow and reduce pressure on both the oxygen and acetylene tanks;
- The use of double line rubber hoses to conduct the gas from the tanks to the torch;
- Melting the materials to be welded together;
- The ability to regulate temperature by adjusting gas flow.
It can be used on any thickness of metal; however there are some serious safety issues owing to the extreme flammability of acetylene and high pressure of the oxygen cylinders.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
