Sheet Metal Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutting is an efficient metal processing method. By using different gas combinations, it can handle many materials that are difficult to cut with flame cutting, and performs exceptionally well on non-ferrous metals like stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium and nickel. This process is suitable for metal plates with a thickness below 30mm.
This processing method runs much faster than flame cutting, with a working speed three to four times higher. It also creates smooth surfaces on finished parts, while keeping heat impact and material deformation to a minimum. It is widely used in automotive, locomotive, pressure vessel, chemical machinery, construction machinery, steel structure and shipbuilding industries. As related equipment becomes more affordable, laser cutting has gradually become a common alternative for many project.
Plasma Cutting

The Difference Between Flame Cutting and Plasma Cutting

  1. Cutting principle

    Flame cutting melts and separates metal using heat from burning gas. Plasma cutting relies on high-temperature plasma arcs to finish the cutting work.

  2. Working gas

    Flame cutting needs combustion gas and oxygen, and commonly uses coal gas, propane or acetylene. Plasma cutting adopts multiple types of gas, including argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, air and mixed gas with water vapor.

  3. Cutting thickness

    Standard flame cutting works for plates ranging from 6mm to 200mm. After equipment modification, it can even handle plates over 300mm thick. The applicable cutting range of plasma cutting is determined by the power of the machine.

  4. Application scenarios

    Flame cutting is mainly used for carbon steel plates thicker than 20mm. Plasma cutting is ideal for plates under 20mm, covering ordinary steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium and nickel alloys.

  5. Cutting speed

    Take 20mm thick steel plate as an example. The speed of flame cutting is around 450mm per minute, while plasma cutting can reach 1500mm per minute, delivering obvious advantages in production efficiency.

Related Sheet Metal Fabrication Services

If you need reliable plasma cutting services for your sheet metal projects, feel free to get in touch with us. We provide customized processing solutions with stable quality and competitive prices.