MetFab - Air Products Welder's Handbook - Flipbook - Page 54
Many fuel gases are available such as
acetylene, ethylene, hydrogen, methane,
propane, propylene and mixtures. Each gas
has different characteristics and benefits.
The most common ones are:
• Acetylene which is lighter than air.
It is colourless and odourless in its pure
state, however, commercial acetylene
has a slightly garlic-like odour. It is
also selected due to its versatility as it
suitable for welding as well as cutting.
• Apachi® cutting gas; propylene liquid
petroleum gas which is exclusively
available from Air Products. It is heavier
than air.
• Propane, a liquid petroleum gas, also
heavier than air.
Fuel gas selection criteria
Factor for choice
Acetylene
Apachi
Propane
Time to start cut
•••
•••
••
••
•
•
Cutting speed
••• = best choice
50
• = also suitable
