What Is Air Carbon Arc Gouging?

Air carbon arc gouging is a thermal cutting process of removing or severing metal by heat from a carbon arc. The process uses a carbon/graphite electrode, a standard power source, and compressed air. The intense heat arc produced between the tip of the electrode and the metal workpiece melts and cuts the metal. The air carbon arc gouging technique is used to remove any old or defective welds for repairing or dismantling equipment.

How Does Air Carbon Arc Gouging Technique Work?

The air carbon arc gouging process involves striking the electrode tip on the surface of the metal workpiece. This creates an intense arc between the carbon electrode tip and the workpiece. The heat from the carbon arc cuts and melts the metal. The compressed air stream is then used for blowing the molten metal from the surface of the metal workpiece. The metal gets cut or gouged only along the direction of airflow.

Attention to the usage of air-arc gouging cai-bon electrode:

1. Power: Normal D.C.for welding machines can be used for air-arc gouging carbon electrodes.

2. Range of currency: The currency range adopted directly influences the processing quality and results. if it is too small. it will be difficult for gouging; if too large, it will cause the heated carbon head too long, which will result in the rod becoming thinner and the processing quality poor. Therefore the proper currency range as shown in the table herewith should be adopted in accordance with the model and dimension of the gouging carbon electrode.

3. Range of Air Pressure: The normal air pressure range is 4-6kg/cm2, which shall be in compliance with the diameter of the gouging carbon electrode. In general, higher air pres-cure is for the bigger diameter of the rod and a lower pressure for the smaller diameter. if air pressure for the smaller diameter. if air pressure is too high, the electrical arc is unstable; if too low, melted metal can not be blown off easily, which will influence the quality of the gouging groove