A group of thermal cutting processes that severs or removes metal by melting with the heat of an arc between the electrode and workpiece. See STANDARD WELDING TERMS.
This definition covers a number of processes that are or have been used for cutting or gouging metals, including the following:
(1) Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC)
(2) Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A)
(3) Shielded Metal Arc Cutting (SMAC)
(4) Gas Metal Arc Cutting (GMAC)
(5) Oxygen Arc Cutting (AOC)
(6) Gas Tungsten Arc Cutting (GTAC)
(7) Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC)
Thermal gouging is a thermal cutting process variation that removes metal by melting or burning the entire removed portion, to form a bevel or groove.
