Acetylene Gas

The hottest and most efficient of all fuel gases, acetylene (C₂H₂) provides high levels of productivity thanks to good localized heating with a minimum of thermal waste. It also requires the least amount of oxygen to ensure complete combustion. This flammable, colorless gas is lighter than air so does not accumulate at low levels, where it could cause a potential hazard. It is generally supplied dissolved in acetone or DMF (dimethylformamide) in specially designed cylinders to prevent decomposition.

A low flame moisture content makes this fuel gas a good choice for many critical heating processes. Typical applications include flame heating, flame gouging, welding, flame hardening, flame cleaning, flame straightening, thermal spraying, spot-heating, brazing, texturing, profile-cutting, branding wooden pallets, wood-ageing and carbon coating.

Acetylene Applications

Applications include hardening steel for certain applications in automotive production, as well as brazing and low pressure carburizing. There are also numerous fabricators and glass makers that use acetylene throughout their processes. Acetylene is the only fuel gas recommended for underground working conditions because it is lighter than air. It is also the only fuel gas, for instance, which can be used to weld steel.