Plasma Cutting

What is a Plasma?

• One common description of plasma is that it is

the fourth state of matter.
• For ex. If we add heat energy, the ice will
change from a solid to a liquid, and if more
heat is added, it will change to a gas (steam).
When substantial heat is added to a gas, it will
change from gas to plasma, the fourth state of
matter.
 Plasma can be defined as a
“superheated, electrically ionized
gas.
 System Components
 Torch
 Power Supply
 Arc Starting Circuit
 Gases used
 Primary Gases:
Gases that are used to create the plasma arc.
Examples are nitrogen, argon, hydrogen,
hydrogen, or mixture of them

 Secondary Gases or Water:

Surrounds the electric arc to aid in confining it
and removing the molten material.
 Safety Precautions

• Maintain constant distance between torch

and work piece.
• High labor safety (i.e. goggles, gloves, etc…).
• Proper training for operators.
• Protection against glare, spatter and noise
from the plasma.
 Advantages - Disadvantages
• Cuts any metal. • Large heat affected
• 5 to 10 times zone.
faster than oxy- • Rough Surfaces
fuel. • Difficult to produce
• 150 mm thickness sharp corners.
ability. • Smoke and noise.
• Easy to automate.