Why Plasma Cutting Is Better

Plasma cutting, which is an electrical/thermal process, utilizes a highly constricted arc surrounded by a swirled column of ionized gas. This combination results in high arc current density, as well as increased voltage and heat. Arc temperatures often reach well into the 30,000-F range. At these temperatures, there isn't a need for a chemical reaction as the arc melts the metal away at very high speeds.

Plasma cutting systems are available in mechanized, handheld, or table-mounted systems. While handheld systems have the edge in portability, the tabletop or mechanized systems are useful for volume operations where cut consistency and productivity are important. Industrial cutting services' 8' x 30' table allows for accurate efficient cutting of large sheets of metal.

Plasma's most obvious advantage is its ability to cut all electrically conductive metals, including stainless steel and aluminum. But, the primary reason for plasma cutting's emerging preeminence in steel cutting is its speed and productivity.

The preheat delay is eliminated in plasma cutting, and cutting speeds can be anywhere from 100% to 700% faster than oxyfuel, depending on the size of the machine. Typical handheld plasma cut speeds on machines recommended for cutting 1/2-in. thick steel range from 20 to 30 in./min.

Users of plasma are also quick to point out that the absence of a preheat cycle results in less heat transfer to the work-piece, which can reduce warping and twisting of the metal. Plasma cutters, as opposed to their oxyfuel counterparts, also leave a smaller heat affected zone. This translates into stronger welds at the edge of the cut.