Oxy-acetylene gas welding is very essential to welding certain types of metals. It is one of the first welding fusion welding processes to be ever adopted. A variety of different fuel gases have been used to weld metals in gas welding. But acetylene is the most commonly used gas for this purpose. It gives an intense flame at a temperature of 3000 degrees Celcius when bur t with oxygen. The oxyacetylene gas welding takes place at a temperature of 2500 degrees Celcius to 3000 degrees Celcius.
Principle of oxy-acetylene gas welding
The principle of oxyacetylene gas welding is simple, the right kind of flame is required for this gas welding to take place. There is no particular difference between the flame produced in oxy-acetylene gas cutting and oxy-acetylene welding. The flame is enhanced by use of pure oxygen instead of air, which allows it to melt the metal
Disadvantages of oxyacetylene gas welding
- The strength of the weld is low
- There is always a danger of fire
- The process is quite slow because it involves heating of the metal
- Not suitable for thick metal plates because it is difficult to heat them
- Cannot be carried over long distances, other forms of welding like thermit welding can be done in far away places
- It does not have flux shielding, it can cause oxidation of the weld.