Plasma Cutting Stainless Steel Hazards

Plasma cutting is one of the most popular processes for cutting steel and other metals in many manufacturing shops.

Plasma cutting stainless steel hazards.

The federal occupational safety and health administration changed its notification requirements in. The chromium content in stainless steel and the health risks associated with overexposure to chromium make periodic air monitoring in the welder s breathing zone a. With an edge start plasma can cut up to about 160mm. Cutting of stainless steel is potentially the most hazardous as the fumes will contain chromium and nickel.

The condition usually only lasts a single day according to the occupational safety and health administration with workers most susceptible after several days away from the work environment. The resulting dross that hardens on the bottom of the plate is very easy to remove and often does not require secondary operations like grinding. Handling dross and piercing. It is also a hobby for many metal cutting enthusiasts.

14 the nature of fume depends upon the metal being cut and upon any coatings. Chromium metal is added to alloy steel to increase. Cr vi is known to cause cancer. Working with stainless steel can pose a greater threat to workers than other metals.

Thermit welding uses a chemical reaction to produce intense heat instead of using gas fuel or electric current. 13 plasma cutting generates fume gases noise and ultraviolet radiation uv hazards. This document does not deal with uv hazards. When mild steel is cut with o2 air the viscosity of the molten material is much lower than when cutting stainless steel.

It is usually produced by an industrial process. The hidden dangers of plasma cutting smoke. A new rule aims to give workers more information about exposure to hexavalent chromium a carcinogen released when stainless steel is welded cut with a plasma torch or cast. Pressure welding uses heat along with impact type pressure to join the pieces.

One danger of cutting galvanized steel is metal fume fever a condition caused by the released zinc fumes. Iron steel cast iron and copper. An additional challenge plasma cutting of stainless steel presents is molten material viscosity. Oxy fuel and plasma cutting along with brazing are related to welding as they all involve the.

This is especially true for thicker stainless steel plates where plasma cutting is almost universally considered the best solution. Precision plasma can pierce and cut stainless steel up to around 40mm and high amperage plasma systems can pierce and cut stainless steel up to around 100mm. Plasma arc cutting hazards. Hexavalent chromium cr vi is one of the valence states 6 of the element chromium.