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Carbon Arc Gouging: A Guide to Process and Equipment

Date: 28-04-2021
Plasma Gouging

Carbon Arc Gouging - Alphaweld


Carbon arc gouging is a melting operation in which metal is cut by the intense pressure created when an arc is formed between an electrode made of graphite, usually coated with another material, and the workpiece. In this blog, we offer an overview of two popular variations of this process (air- and plasma-carbon arc welding), as well as the welding tools and materials required.

 

Air and Plasma-Carbon Arc Gouging

Carbon arc gouging may use a jet of highly compressed air positioned behind the electrode to remove the molten metal before it melts, or it may employ a plasma jet to perform the same function.
 
Carbon arc gouging can be used to cut both ferrous and non-ferrous workpieces and can be guided by hand or be mounted on a tractor cutting machine to create deep, narrow grooves of high quality and consistency.
 

Electrodes

Technicians performing carbon arc gouging can choose from one of three kinds of electrode: AC coated electrodes, which are suitable for use with AC power sources; DC plain electrodes, and; DC copper coated electrodes.
 
DC copper coated electrodes are the most popular choice, for several reasons. The copper increases conductivity and thus produces a more stable arc and uniform groove. These electrodes also last longer than the uncoated varieties.
 
Our new range of round and flat copper coated carbon electrodes from Betaweld can be used to remove excess metal from a wide variety of workpiece materials and provide high efficiency cutting at low temperatures. 
 
The shape of the gouging carbon will be dictated by the task at hand. Cylindrical electrodes are used to make a round groove, while flat electrodes will make a flat groove. Our round electrodes range in diameter from 4.8-12.7mm, while flat electrodes come in a standard width of 15.5mm.

Cutting Machines

Aside from the electrodes, carbon arc gouging requires a welding power source, gouging torch, and air compressor. Our range of Powermax plasma cutter machines from Hypertherm provide a state-of-the-art welding system, and offer both hand held and machine guided cutting. The Powermax series are highly portable and are built for heavy duty use on the most demanding industrial worksites.
 
These machines use a plasma- rather than gas-jet to remove the melted material. Plasma is created when gas is heated to extremely high temperatures – as much as 22,000°C – at which point it becomes ionised.
 
The process of metal removal through plasma carbon arc gouging is very similar to air carbon arc gouging, with one important difference: though it looks and otherwise behaves like a gas, plasma conducts electricity, and it can therefore be used to cut through all electrically conductive metals.
 
The Hypertherm range require an AC power source and a source of compressed air, portable compressed air, or bottles air. They are not suitable for use with standard explosive oxyfuels.

Why Choose Alphaweld?

Alphaweld has been supplying trade professionals around Australia with the highest quality welding materials and pipe working tools since 2006. Our conscientious, meticulous approach to both the quality of our products and to every aspect of customer service we offer to the end user has made us the supplier of choice for an ever-growing number of welders.
 
Over the last 15 years, we have become industry leaders, consistently introducing exceptional products to the Australian market, all the while upholding our commitment to serve the local economy.
 
Alphaweld provides wire batch certificates with every welding wire order to certify that our products are made of the highest quality materials to meet the most rigorous AS/NZS standards. 

Contact Us Today

For more information on our range of carbon arc gouging tools and materials, you can contact us by phone on (08) 9456 8000 or email sales@alphaweld.com.au.