A process used primarily for the cutting out of steel components from plate in the workshop. It is both quicker and more accurate than oxy-acetylene cutting and may be used on materials such as aluminium alloys. The finished article can normally be welded without further edge preparation.
Plasma-air cutting employs an extremely high temperature, high-velocity constricted arc between an electrode within a torch and the metal to be cut. The intense heat melts the metal, which is continuously removed by a jet-like stream of gas coming from the torch.