{"id":6511,"date":"2020-11-16T12:29:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-16T06:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themagnumgroup.net\/Blog\/?p=6511"},"modified":"2021-01-18T22:16:07","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T16:46:07","slug":"plasma-torch-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themagnumgroup.net\/Blog\/plasma-torch-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Plasma Torch Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What Is Plasma?<\/h2>\n

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Image source: ResearchGate.net<\/a><\/p>\n

“Plasma” has different meanings in medical <\/strong>and industrial<\/strong> contexts. The industrial context being relevant <\/strong>to plasma torches, it is what we will discuss here.<\/p>\n

When the atoms<\/strong> of a gas are subjected to high energy, such as a strong electromagnetic field<\/strong>, electrons can cut loose from the atoms and move around freely. This ‘soup<\/strong>‘ of electron-deficient atoms (aka ions) and free electrons<\/strong> is called plasma.<\/p>\n

Plasma is often described as the ‘fourth state of matter<\/strong>‘, subsequent to the solid, liquid and gas states.<\/p>\n

What is a Plasma Torch?<\/h2>\n

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A plasma torch <\/strong>is a tool for cutting or welding metals<\/strong> like steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass or copper. It is typically used in metal fabrication shops<\/strong>, automotive repair and restoration shops, the salvage industry and scrapyards.<\/p>\n

Overview of Plasma Torch Operation<\/h2>\n

\"Working<\/span><\/p>\n

Working diagr<\/span>am of a DC plasma torch<\/em><\/p>\n

First <\/strong>a plasma torch creates a high-energy electric field <\/strong> in a electrically neutral gas<\/strong> stream (flowing at 15l\/mt) through its cylindrical housing. This causes electrons <\/strong>to gain the electric field’s energy and separate from the gas atoms<\/strong>, leaving a positively charged nucleus (this is called an ‘ion<\/strong>‘) and a ‘sea’ of free electrons (this process is called ‘ionization<\/strong>‘) . The ions and electrons all carry significant energy with them, derived from the electric field.<\/p>\n

The ions <\/strong>and electrons then collide <\/strong>with other neutral atoms<\/strong> and ionize <\/strong>them, often releasing <\/strong>their carried energy <\/strong>in the process with the emission of intense heat (up to 40,000 deg F) and light<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n

The pressurized plasma stream<\/strong> (called a plasma jet<\/strong>) exits through a nozzle <\/strong>onto the workpiece <\/strong>at high velocity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The workpiece <\/strong>is always electrically grounded <\/strong>and therefore is itself a path for the plasma jet to go to ground. As the workpiece conducts the hot jet, the workpiece drastically rises in temperature<\/strong>. This heat can be used to either cut or weld<\/strong> the workpiece.<\/p>\n

Some specifics:<\/p>\n