If there is so little heat involved with plasma cutting - why does the metal
turn all sorts of colors - Stainless to brown steel in blue and dripping steel.
Oh - plasma is the temperature of the Sun - center IIRC.
Metal sheets 4' wide bow when cut.
Different metals draw different currents. Copper and Al draw more current and
spray it sideways away from the cut so more electrons are needed for the hole.
Steel doesn't conduct well so most make the hole.
So resistivity is very important - but tons of heat. Al oxidizes into tufts.
One thing to remember - How does a water hose work - Big hole - lots of water
but it has little range. Small hole (nozzle) goes a lot farther at higher pressure.
And smaller yet - turns into a pressure washer -
So a fine cut kit can very likely do nicely. Also gouging heads get you closer
and blows the metal sideways out of the slot.
Martin Eastburn
@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder
Steve wrote:
My understanding is, it will make very little difference what type of
material you are cutting. There is relatively little heat involved with
plasma cutting.
If anything, the electrical conductivity of the metal (or resistance) would
have more of an effect. Aluminum and copper being better conductors (lower
resistance) than steel or stainless, using MY theory, would cut better.
This is just my hypothesis, FWIW.
I have a plasma rig that is rated at 3/8 but I cut up to 3/4" stainless or
aluminum but it is slow and not very pretty.
Steve
"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
When the spec says a plasma cutter can cut 3/8", does that mean it can cut
3/8" in any conductive material? Aluminum? Stainless? Or does the rated
thickness vary with material the way it does for a punch or shear?
I have a 25A plasma cutter with which I cut 1/4" steel all the time, and I
want to try it on 1/4" aluminum ..
GWE
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