Which is the Right Fuel Gas for Oxy-Fuel Cutting for Your Project 

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Acetylene: The Old Faithful

Acetylene has been the standard fuel in oxy-fuel cutting for years, particularly because of its high flame temperature. When combined with oxygen, acetylene produces a flame that is around 5720°F or 3160°C in temperature. 

This allows it to perform faster piercing, resulting in cleaner cuts. Acetylene's inner flame cone is concentrated, which gives the operator more control when cutting and is especially beneficial for cases needing detailed work. The only real drawback of acetylene as a fuel component is safety. 

Acetylene generates instability when the pressure is above 15 psi and has a tendency to require special cylinders with acetone for stabilization. 

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Propane: The Budget Better Half

Propane is a widely accepted substitute for acetylene, particularly with larger amounts of cutting. 

Propane burns at a much lower flame temperature than acetylene at around 4600°F or 2540°C, but propane has a much longer flame width and also provides more heating to the cutting area compared to propane's outer cone, making it reliable for heating and cutting of heavy metal sections.

However, propane's flame is not as precise as acetylene's flame, and propane generally requires longer preheat time than acetylene's flame. You will also need specialized cutting tips for propane, as no standard acetylene tip will provide optimal performance. 

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Natural Gas: A Cleaner, Stationary Approach

Natural gas is typically used in oxy fuel cutting for stationary cutting and heating applications like, automated cutting tables, and in factories with central delivery availability. Like propane, natural gas is also less intense than acetylene, relying significantly on the heat from its outer flame cone. 

It does produce the cleanest flame of the three gas options and produces the least amount of soot, leaving behind less residue, which is important in particular fabrication environments. 

Natural gas also has the lowest cost for fuel gas when purchased in bulk. But, its lower flame temperature and more diffuse flame means it is not useful for precision work and mobile operations. It is also not normally stored within portable cylinders; therefore, its use is limited to locations with a fixed gas supply.

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Which Fuel Gas Should I Choose?

Deciding between these fuel gas for oxy-fuel cutting will be mostly dependent on the needs of the application. Acetylene will offer the most precision and heat for cutting and is typically the best fuel for precision cutting, while propane tends to have the best balance between economical and performance for general-purpose cutting applications. 

Natural gas performs well from a cost point of view in stationary, high-volume applications requiring very little maintenance. 

So, if you are looking for an oxy-fuel cutting service in Houston, contact Apache Steel Works today.

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