Oxyfuel cutting uses which to generate heat?

• A. Fuel gas
• B. Electricity
• C. Water
• D. Plasma

Answer: (A)

Heat in oxyfuel cutting comes from the combustion of a fuel gas in oxygen. The torch mixes a fuel gas (such as acetylene) with oxygen, and their exothermic reaction produces a very hot flame that preheats the metal. Once the metal reaches its ignition temperature, it oxidizes in the flame and the molten oxide is blown away, creating the cut. This heat source is chemical, not electrical, water, or plasma-based. Electricity would power electric arcs or plasma in other methods, water is used mainly for cooling, and plasma cutting uses a plasma jet created by electricity, not a oxyfuel flame.