Acetyleneoxygen

Acetylene-oxygen, commonly referred to as oxyacetylene, is a fuel gas mixture used for welding, cutting, brazing, and heating. The system combines acetylene, a hydrocarbon gas, with oxygen in a torch to produce a high-temperature flame. Acetylene (C2H2) is stored in cylinders with a porous filler and dissolved in acetone to stabilize at cylinder pressure, while oxygen is stored in separate high-pressure cylinders. When mixed in the torch, the flame temperature can exceed 3,500°C, enabling rapid heating and metal fusion.

Operation: The operator adjusts the relative flow of acetylene and oxygen to produce different flame types: neutral flame (balanced), carburizing flame (excess acetylene), and oxidizing flame (excess oxygen). Each has distinct characteristics and applications in welding and cutting.

Applications: Oxyacetylene torches are used for welding and brazing of steel and other metals, for cutting, brazed joints, and heating operations such as bending and preheating.

Safety: The mixture is highly flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. Acetylene is unstable at high pressure and is stabilized in commercial cylinders by dissolution in acetone within porous fillers. Cylinders must be kept cool, upright, and secured; regulators and flashback arrestors are used; operations should take place in well-ventilated areas away from sparks, oils, and grease.

See also: Oxy-fuel welding, acetylene, welding safety.