F5/N2 versus N2/N2 Jim?

[rikduk]

Question for all, but especially for Jim:
I have a hypertherm hsd 130, on stainless @45 amps, i have the choice between:
air/air : no dross, but cut is blackened
N2/N2 : smoother cut, but with a little dross, very hard
F5/N2: Haven't tried, i dont want to buy the gas if its not Worth it. What should i expect?

Thank you

Richard

[jimcolt]

The N2 plasma gas with F5 shield gas will provide the cleanest edge quality on stainless withing its thickness range (from the cut charts in your operators manual. F5 is 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen, premixed. The hydrogen content acts as a "reducing gas"....effectively consuming the oxygen that comes in contact with the molten cut edge. By reducing the oxygen, the edge does not oxidize....which is what creates the darkened edge.

You can also get a better edge with the N2/N2 process if you have a water table design that allows you to submerge the stainles an inch or so underwater. The water then shield the edge from ambient oxygen, again eliminating the oxide layer that causes the iscoloration.

Hope this helps.


Jim Colt Hypertherm

Question for all, but especially for Jim:
I have a hypertherm hsd 130, on stainless @45 amps, i have the choice between:
air/air : no dross, but cut is blackened
N2/N2 : smoother cut, but with a little dross, very hard
F5/N2: Haven't tried, i dont want to buy the gas if its not Worth it. What should i expect?

Thank you

Richard

[rikduk]

Jim, you said somewhere i could get sample cuts from Hypertherm, is it better to ask hypertherm directly, or my plasma supplier?

Thank you

[jimcolt]

The local Hypertherm dealer. The samples will come from Hypertherm, but the process should go through the dealer.

Jim Colt

Jim, you said somewhere i could get sample cuts from Hypertherm, is it better to ask hypertherm directly, or my plasma supplier?

Thank you