Practising oxyfuel welding safety

Oxyfuel welding (OFW) is a manual process in which the metal surfaces to be joined are melted progressively by heat from a gas flame, with or without filler metal, and are caused to flow together and solidify without the application of pressure to the parts being joined. The most important source of heat for OFW is the oxyacetylene welding (OAW) torch. The simplest and most frequently used OFW system consists of compressed gas cylinders, gas pressure regulators, hoses, and a welding torch. Oxygen and fuel are stored in separate cylinders. The gas regulator attached to each cylinder, whether fuel gas or oxygen, controls the pressure at which the gas flows to the welding torch. At the torch, the gas passes through an inlet control valve and into the torch body, through a tube or tubes within the handle, through the torch head, and into the mixing chamber of the welding nozzle or other device attached to the welding torch. The mixed gases then pass through the welding tip and produce the flame at the exit end of the tip. This equipment can be mounted on and operated from a cylinder cart, or it can be a stationary installation. Filler metal, when needed, is provided by a welding rod that is melted progressively along with the surfaces to be joined. OFW is said to be the most versatile welding processes. But in recent years it has become less popular in industrial applications. However, it is still widely used for welding pipes and tubes, as well as repair work. It is also frequently well-suited, and favoured, for fabricating some types of metal-based artwork. Oxyfuel equipment is versatile, lending itself not only to some sorts of iron or steel welding but also to brazing, braze-welding, metal heating for bending and forming, and also oxyfuel cutting. The equipment is relatively inexpensive and simple, generally employing the combustion of acetylene in oxygen to produce a welding flame temperature of about 3100 ºC. The flame, since it is less concentrated than an electric arc, causes slower weld cooling, which can lead to greater residual stresses and weld distortion, though it eases the welding of high alloy steels. A similar process generally called, oxyfuel cutting, is used to cut metals. Oxyfuel safety Oxyfuel safety is something that is taught by few and ignored by many. But ignoring basic oxy fuel cutting torch safety principles has resulted in many injuries and even fatalities. According to OSHA's own publications, the risk of from fatal injuries using this equipment is around four deaths per thousand workers over a working lifetime. The term "Oxy-fuel" refers to welding, brazing, and cutting equipment that uses a fuel gas like acetylene, map gas, propane, and oxygen. Torches that use fuel and plain air do not pose the same risks that are present when using oxyfuel equipment where fuel is mixed with oxygen to produce a much hotter flame than can be achieved using only fuel and air. These are only a few of the many safety principles you must follow when cutting with an oxy acetylene or oxyfuel torch. Pay close attention to these tips and you will be safer and your cuts will be better too. Never cut on or apply heat directly to a concrete surface. Concrete contains water that is trapped within the material. Heat will cause the water to expand. This expansion will cause pieces of the concrete to explode. Clean cutting tip orifices carefully. The little pre-heat flames are important to keep clean, to prevent tip overheating and maximise time to bring steel to kindling temperature. It is critical that the cutting oxygen orifice is kept clean and smooth. Any roughness will dramatically affect cut quality. So if you don't have a tip cleaner, get one. Be aware of sparks. Use the Good Neighbour Policy. Cutting may produce sparks that can fly a considerable distance. Protective screens are advisable, especially if working in a confined aradidas