Best Metals for Plasma Cutting: A Guide to Optimal Performance

1. Best Metals for Plasma Cutting: A Guide to Optimal Performance Plasma cutting is an operation for cutting metal sheets that are employed in different industries. For a definite purpose, it is required to cut metal sheets with very high accuracy. A good plasma cutting machine is employed for cutting. It is mentioned that such a machine utilizes a jet of hot plasma for melting and cutting sheets using conductive materials. Ionized gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and pressurized air, create a plasma arc, which is employed in the cutting process. It is also used with a combination of argon-hydrogen or hydrogen-nitrogen for the creation of a plasma arc in some instances. Varying gases are employed based on the material to be cut. It may be brass, steel, aluminium, copper, etc. It is a highly useful process for accurate work. Therefore, this method provides you with an exact and sharp cutting of metal sheets, which are vital for industrial purposes. Plasma Cutting For Metals Plasma cutting technology was made to cut various metals with ease and accuracy, including aluminium, copper, cast iron, galvanized steel, and even steel. The efficiency rate of a plasma cutter will vary based on the metal being cut. Plasma cutting is prevalent in most industries, such as manufacturing, automotive, and fabrication, because plasma cutting of metal sheets is made possible. All such industries need top-quality plasma cutting cutters to facilitate cutting metal sheets into various shapes, sizes, and angles for use in other metal items. Metals that can be subjected to a plasma cutting machine may include the following: 1. Mild Steel

2. Plasma cutting of mild steel is easy and can be utilized for laser cutting and plunging because of its thin gauge. The steel-cutting process uses a plasma cutting machine, which works through the vertical cutting of steel at high speed. The air compressor used in steel cutting needs to utilize compressed air in the thermal plasma cutting for efficient work. An air plasma system makes easy cuts in steel sheets of 0.25- 1.25 mm thickness, hassle-free. This type of plasma cutting method is suited for structural steelwork, car repairs, and metal sculptures. 2. Stainless Steel Just like other metals, stainless steel is extremely durable. Cutting it, however, demands some degree of precision and accuracy, making it a bit more complicated than other metals. Plasma cutting is the most desired method to cut stainless steel metal as it is clean and minimizes slag development. In this process, nitrogen plasma gas is used along with a quality plasma cutting machine, and the shape is obtained by accurate cutting of the steel metal sheets. A plasma cutter is used to achieve the finest quality steel metal cutting. 3. Copper Because of its high thermal conductivity, copper is difficult to cut. But there are other techniques, including the plasma cutting process, that make copper cutting possible. The technique uses a low-pressure plasma arc of nitrogen or argon gas, which can be used efficiently for the smooth cutting of copper. Copper sheets with thicknesses between 0.125 and 0.75 mm will have their thicknesses cut down. Since copper is better at conducting heat, care should be taken while using the plasma cutting process. This copper cutting method is suitable for electrical and plumbing applications. 4. Aluminium Aluminum is a light metal that does not rust. Due to these factors, the metal is utilized by the industry to produce numerous varied appliances and items. Thin and thick aluminum sheets, which are from 3 mm to 25 mm thick, can be cut using plasma cutting techniques. In the process of cutting aluminum, a compressed air plasma system is employed for regulating the peripheries of the flame of the plasma in such a manner that slag is not accumulated. Thus, the speed of cutting is reduced while cutting.

3. 5. Brass Brass is a metal whose electrical conductivity is typically found to be moderate. This implies that the process of cutting brass plates is rather challenging. Nevertheless, this is achievable using the plasma cutting machine. This cutter can cut brass sheets of any thickness, ranging from 3 mm to 125 mm. Argon gas is employed in conjunction with a plasma cutting machine, which cuts the brass slowly without shocking it. It is important to keep the speed constant while cutting brass using these processes. Brass is an excellent metal utilized in industry for the manufacture of appliances, but also applied when decoration is required. 6. Cast Iron Because it is hard, cast iron is hard to cut through as a metal, though some measure of success can be attained by plasma cutting. Owing to the presence of carbon in cast iron, it may be compromised during the splitting or cutting process. Thus, slower speeds must be used during the plasma cutting process. This method of cutting can successfully plasma cut cast iron items ranging from one-quarter inch to one inch in thickness. 7. Galvanized Steel Galvanized steel is coated with a zinc layer that prevents corrosion. A plasma cutting machine can easily cut galvanized steel, but the zinc layer does produce fumes. Accuracy is essential while cutting. While cutting, the fumes produced must be managed so that they do not get inhaled. Oxygen plasma is used in cutting galvanized steel sheets. Therefore, all the above metals are suitable for plasma cutting and are used in various industries for various purposes. Safety Guidelines for Practices When Plasma Cutting in Industry When using a plasma cutting machine to cut metals, there are a few precautions and safety measures that you need to take into account. These are, but not limited to, the following: • Using the Right Kind of Gas

4. Throughout the process of plasma cutting, the right ionized gas to be used for each metal sheet must be included in the factor of consideration. Due to this, the choice of ionized gas for each metal plays an essential role. For instance, one may employ blends like compressed air for steel, nitrogen for aluminium and stainless steel, and mixed gases for other metals. • Proper Adjustment of the Metal Thickness Keeping the proper thickness of the metal to be cut through plasma cutting in mind is crucial. For the precise cutting of thick metal as well, a good plasma cutting machine or cutter must be employed. • Effective Removal of Residual Through the plasma cutting technique of cutting metals, plating numerous metals does leave a few residues, such as slag and fumes, which must be removed accordingly. If not, this will lead to problems such as scratches or stains resulting on the surface of the metal sheet. • Proper Ground of Plasma Machine To accurately cut metal sheets, the plasma cutting machine's sharp tip should be grounded. This ensures that it is easy to provide the desired arc or shape on the sheet. In the above, all guidelines for employing a plasma cutter on metals in an industry must be followed. You can approach plasma cutting machine suppliers to learn more about plasma cutting. They will provide you with sufficient tips on how to properly use the supplied plasma cutters machines or cutters for the proper cutting of metals. Contact Us: Email: sales@machineryonsale.com.sg Phone; +65 6296 7711 Address: 101 Kitchener Rd, #01-12/14, Singapore 208511 TEL