TWI Frequently asked questions
| Process | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Oxy-fuel | Low capital cost | Primarily limited to mild and low alloy steels |
| No electrical requirements | Less suitable for stainless steels and aluminium |
| Consumable costs low | Wide HAZ |
| Can be used manually or mechanised | Quality influenced by torch nozzle condition, parameters and plate surface condition |
| Transportable | |
| Can be used to cut thick sections | |
| All positions | |
| Plasma | Wide range of materials including stainless steel and aluminium | Typically limited to 50mm (air-plasma) plate |
| Narrow HAZ | Noise when cutting thick sections |
| Low consumable (air) costs | Fume when cutting in air |
| Ideal for this sheet material | Arc glare when cutting in air |
| Low fume when cutting underwater | Consumables (electrode and nozzle) costs |
| High quality cut edge (HTPAC) | |
| Laser | Extremely narrow cut width (0.1mm) | High capital cost |
| Minimal distortion | High maintenance costs |
| Small HAZ | Cutting thickness <20mm |
| Very high cutting speeds (up to 10m/min) | Screening of beam |
| Cut edge does not require dressing | |
| Metals and non-metals | |
| Abrasive water jet | No heat generated | High capital cost |
| Minimal distortion | Safe handling of water jet |
| Wide range of metals and non-metals | Containment of water |
| Hazardous (explosive) environments | Noise |
| | Wide cut width |
| | Abrasive cost (cannot be recycled) |
For further information contact arc@twi.co.uk
