Aluminium Cutting
Aluminium and its alloys frequently need to be cut to size or shape. Thermal cutting of aluminium is not as easy as cutting steel due to its high thermal conductivity and refractory surface oxide. To obtain good quality, clean, accurate, cuts in aluminium and its alloys the preferred processes are plasma cutting and laser cutting. Oxygen powder cutting was used in the past but is not capable of producing a clean cut and has ceased to be used for any sort of quality work. Plasma cutting is probably the most frequently used process in industry today. It is efficient, quick, accurate, and can be operated manually, mechanised, or semi-automatically with computer control. There is a wide choice of plasma and secondary gases that may be used. Laser cutting can also be used but the reflectivity and conductivity of the material presents problems and surface treatment prior to cutting is often necessary. Also needed is a focused, high power density laser beam, and cutting gas, usually oxygen, nitrogen, or a mixture of each. The main safety aspects of cutting these alloys are electrical, radiation, and heat, plus with plasma, noise and fume.
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