Chapter 36, Problem 1RQ

What is the principal fuel gas used in oxyfuel-gas welding?

To determine

The principle fuel gas used in oxy fuel-gas welding.

Explanation of Solution

In oxy fuel gas welding, oxygen acts as a combustion element, and fuel is selected based on the requirement and applications. The gases like acetylene, hydrogen, gasoline, etc. are used as fuels.

The acetylene gives the best results and ease of operation, moreover it is portable and economical. Here oxygen produces heat by the burning of acetylene. This combination is used from the past few decades from early the 1900’s. The oxyacetylene combination generates the temperature is about $3250\text{°C}$ . This temperature range gives the best result and suitable to weld most of the ferrous and non ferrous metals. Hence, the combination of oxygen and acetylene is mostly used. Therefore, the principle gas in the oxy fuel as welding is acetylene.