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Cutting Automation
Underwater plasma cutting is nothing new - it was first done in the mid-1970s. But it still has many advantages that lead many fabricators, steel service centers, and manufacturers to prefer it over dry cutting. An "Air Curtain" or "Bubble Muffler" is used to create a pocket of air around the front end of the plasma torch, shielding the arc from the water. But not every thickness of every material can be cut underwater. So, what are the limits, and what happens if you push them?
Mild steel can be cut underwater up to 2 inches thick. This is achieved at 450 Amps with Oxygen plasma, and the plate is submerged below 2 – 3 inches of water. Less than 2 inches will not reduce the noise and arc glare below acceptable limits.
Fortunately, 2 inches is the piercing limit for plasma cutting on mild steel, so there is really no need to push the limit. If you did try to go thicker and edge start, say all the way up to 3 inches thick, you will see a significant reduction in cut speed just to make the cut, as well as a lot more dross on the bottom of the cut.
Stainless Steel and aluminum up to 2 inches thick can be cut underwater. This is achieved at 600 Amps with Nitrogen plasma or up to 720 Amps with water-injection plasma. As with mild steel, the plate is submerged below 2 – 3 inches of water level. Less than 2 inches will not reduce the noise and arc glare below acceptable limits.
Underwater cutting should not be done with flammable gases, such as Argon-Hydrogen (H35) or Methane (CH4), because excess gas can become trapped under the plate, causing an explosion hazard.
There are a few things to be aware of when cutting underwater: