What is the best use for carbon arc gouging?
Advantages and Major Uses The air carbon arc cutting process (CAC) is used to cut metal, to gouge out defective metal, to remove old or inferior welds, for root gouging of full penetration welds, and to prepare grooves for welding.
What is carbon arc gouging?
Carbon-arc gouging is a melting operation, where metal is removed from the surface by the arc pressure or force. Direct current (DC) is used and the electrode is graphite coated with a layer of copper to assist conductivity. Most materials may be gouged by the process, but the cut is usually wide and ragged.
How does carbon arc gouging work?
Air carbon arc gouging works as follows. An electric arc is generated between the tip of a carbon electrode and the workpiece. The metal becomes molten and a high velocity air jet streams down the electrode to blow it away, thus leaving a clean groove.
How many CFM do I need for arc gouging?
12-15 cfm will work but will work the compressor full time. The bigger the compressor and the more tank you have the longer it will last and more efficiently it will work. Most work can be accomplished without opening the air all the way on the torch.
How loud is carbon arc gouging?
Air carbon arc cutting and gouging is a welding process that exposes workers to hazardous sound levels from 108-120 dB(A). Welders who perform the gouging process and other workers in close proximity to the process are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss.
What DC current is recommended for use with air carbon arc cutting?
However, any three-phase welding power source of sufficient capacity may be used for air carbon arc gouging. The arc voltage used in air carbon arc gouging and cutting ranges from a low of 35 to a high of 56 volts; thus the open-circuit voltage should be at least 60 volts.
What is ARC eye How can it be prevented?
Arc eye can be prevented by using welding goggles and helmets. These specialist goggles and helmets have dark face plates and therefore prevent exposure to the eyes. Relatively new to the market are helmets that are self-darkening. As well as protecting those doing the welding, it is important to protect bystanders.
Can you carbon arc gouge stainless steel?
The air carbon-arc process does not require oxidation to maintain the cut, so it can gouge or cut metals that the OFC process cannot. Most common metals (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel, many copper alloys and cast irons) can be cut using the air carbon-arc process.
Can you carbon arc aluminum gouge?
This process is useful for cutting a variety of materials, but it is most often used for cutting and gouging aluminum, copper, iron, magnesium, and carbon and stainless steel. Because the metal is blown away by the air jet, it does not need to be oxidized.
How is carbon arc gouging used in welding?
Myron Stepath, a welding engineer, developed air carbon-arc gouging to remove several hundred feet of flat, cracked, stainless steel weld. Previously, carbon-arc cutting removed overhead and vertical defective welds and rivet heads. The carbon-arc melted the metal, then gravity moved the molten metal away.
When did air carbon arc gouging first start?
1.02 HISTORY Air carbon-arc gouging began in the 1940s, evolving from the existing carbon-arc cutting process. Myron Stepath, a welding engineer, developed air carbon-arc gouging to remove several hundred feet of flat, cracked, stainless steel weld.
Is it safe to use air carbon arc?
Safe practices in welding and cutting processes, such as air carbon-arc, is covered in ANSl Z49.1, “Safety in Welding and Cutting”, and ANSl 249.2, “Fire Prevention in Use of Welding and Cutting Processes.” Air carbon-arc operators and their supervisors should adhere to the safe practices discussed in these documents.
What are the disadvantages of arc arc gouging?
Disadvantages are that the air jet causes the molten metal to be ejected over quite a large distance and, because of high currents (up to 2000A) and high air pressures (80 to 100 psi), it can be very noisy. As air carbon arc gouging does not rely on oxidation it can be applied to a wide range of metals.