When it comes to cutting through metal, there are several methods available, but two of the most commonly used are oxygen lancing and acetylene cutting. Both methods are effective, but oxygen lancing has several advantages that make it a cheaper and more cost-effective option. In this article, we will take a closer look at both methods, and compare the advantages of oxygen lancing over acetylene cutting.

Oxygen Lancing and Acetylene Cutting

Oxygen Lance Cutting

Oxygen lancing is a method of cutting through metal that uses a high-pressure stream of oxygen. The oxygen is directed through a simple lance, which is a tube that carries the oxygen, and onto the metal being cut. Oxygen lancing is a relatively simple and straightforward method that requires minimal equipment and materials. The oxygen used in oxygen lancing is readily available and relatively inexpensive.

Acetylene Cutting

Acetylene cutting, on the other hand, is a method of cutting through metal that uses a chemical reaction between acetylene gas and oxygen in the air to create a flame. The flame is directed onto the metal being cut, and the heat of the flame melts the metal, allowing it to be cut. Acetylene cutting requires specialized equipment, such as torches and regulators, as well as acetylene gas, which is more expensive and can be dangerous to handle.

Oxygen Lancing vs Acetylene Cutting

When comparing oxygen lancing and acetylene cutting, there are several key differences to consider. One of the main advantages of oxygen lancing is that it requires less equipment and fewer materials than acetylene cutting. This makes it a cheaper and more cost-effective option. Additionally, oxygen lancing is faster and more efficient than acetylene cutting, as the high-pressure stream of oxygen can cut through metal quickly and easily.

Another advantage of oxygen lancing is that it is a safer and more environmentally friendly option than acetylene cutting. Acetylene gas is highly flammable and can be dangerous to handle, especially in confined spaces. Oxygen lancing, on the other hand, does not produce any harmful emissions or waste products, making it a safer and more sustainable option.

Advantages of Oxygen Lancing over Acetylene Cutting

Main advantages of Oxygen Lancing over Acetylene cutting

One of the main advantages of oxygen lancing is that it requires less equipment and fewer materials than acetylene cutting. Oxygen lancing uses a high-pressure stream of oxygen, which is readily available and relatively inexpensive. In contrast, acetylene cutting requires the use of acetylene gas, which is more expensive and can be dangerous to handle. Additionally, oxygen lancing can be performed using a simple lance, which is a tube that carries the oxygen. Acetylene cutting, on the other hand, requires specialized equipment, such as torches and regulators.

Another advantage of oxygen lancing is that it is faster and more efficient than acetylene cutting. Because oxygen lancing uses a high-pressure stream of oxygen, it can cut through metal quickly and easily. In contrast, acetylene cutting relies on a chemical reaction between the acetylene gas and the oxygen in the air to create a flame, which can be slow and labor-intensive. This means that oxygen lancing can save time and labor costs, making it a more cost-effective option.

Furthermore, oxygen lancing is a safer and more environmentally friendly option than acetylene cutting. Acetylene gas is highly flammable and can be dangerous to handle, especially in confined spaces. Oxygen lancing, on the other hand, does not produce any harmful emissions or waste products, making it a safer and more sustainable option.

10 Advantages of Oxygen lance cutting over Acetylene cutting:

In addition to the advantages already mentioned, there are several other potential advantages of oxygen lance cutting over acetylene cutting. These include:

1. Oxygen lance cutting can cut thicker and harder materials than acetylene cutting.
2. Oxygen lance cutting produces a cleaner and more precise cut than acetylene cutting.
3. Oxygen lance cutting generates less heat, which reduces the risk of warping or damaging the material being cut.
4. Oxygen lance cutting produces less slag and other waste material than acetylene cutting.
5. Oxygen lance cutting is faster and more efficient than acetylene cutting for cutting thick steel.
6. Oxygen lance cutting is less dependent on the availability of a constant supply of oxygen, which makes it more versatile in some situations.
7. Oxygen lance cutting can be used in a wider range of environments and conditions than acetylene cutting.
8. Oxygen lance cutting produces a smaller heat-affected zone (HAZ), which reduces the amount of post-cutting work required.
9. Oxygen lance cutting requires less skill and training to operate than acetylene cutting.
10. Oxygen lance cutting can be more cost-effective than acetylene cutting in some situations, especially when cutting thick steel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, oxygen lancing is a valuable tool for cutting through metal in various industrial applications. Its cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and safety make it an ideal choice for cutting through thick steel quickly and easily, saving time and labor costs while also being environmentally friendly.

An oxygen lance is a tool that is used to cut through metal with high-pressure oxygen. Some common uses for an oxygen lance include:

1. Cutting through thick steel plates in shipbuilding and construction.
2. Removing welding slag and other impurities from metal surfaces.
3. Cutting through metal pipes and other structures in demolition and salvage operations.
4. Burning out unwanted material, such as resin or wax, from casting molds in foundries.
5. Removing rust and scale from metal surfaces.
6. Cutting through metal in emergency rescue operations.
7. Creating holes in metal for plumbing or electrical installations.

Recently our Oxygen Lancing thermal wire pack lances were used in the demolition of a steel bridge as part of a Railway Restoration Project in Namibia.

Bridge Demolition in Namibia Southern Africa

The Swakopmund Bridge was the key control project and the only bridge under construction on the entire line of the Namibia Railway Restoration Project 2022.

According to the construction requirements, the bridge needs to build a new pier in the main river channel, and replace the upper structure  – Seetao

The Namibia Railway Rehabilitation Project was a 5 day project From May 11 to 15 2022 laying an impressive new 3.13km new track on the main line.

The old rusted Swakopmund Bridge needed to be cut into 2 section and removed to make room for a new steel railway bridge. The only way possible way to cut this bridge was to use Thermal Wire Pack oxygen lance. This is because Oxygen Lance cutting is the most feasible way to cut thick pieces of steel in most time efficient way possible.

Cutting from a new height.

Here at Oxygen Lancing we proud to see our Thermal Lances cutting in Southern Africa.

Oxygen Lancing supplied 17 mm Diameter x 3 meter Long Thermal Lances to cut through the thick steel support beams to help in the demolition of an old steel railway bridge in Swakopmund Namibia.

”Cutting the 52m long, 154ton bridge section into two pieces, using an oxygen lance. This method saved us time and made it possible to stay on program.” AWH Namibia

What is Thermal Lance cutting?

A thermal lance or Thermal wire pack is a thermic cutting consumable tube that is used in a thermal oxygen lance for cutting thick materials.

Thermal lancing tubes are Also known as a thermal lance, thermic lance, oxygen lance, or burning bar is a tool that heats and melts steel in the presence of pressurised oxygen to create an extremely high temperatures for cutting. It consists of a long steel tube packed with alloy steel rods, sometimes mixed with aluminium rods to increase the heat output. The wire pack has an insulation layer on the outside, which protects the wire from contact with the shaft.

What can a Thermal Lance cut?

What thickness of steel can a Thermal Lance cut?

A Thermal Lance can be used to cut large pieces of steel and metal from various thickness from 10 mm thick to 500 mm thick. Thermal Lancing is a very versatile way of cutting nearly any type of material concrete or reinforced steel.