B-5 Use Soldering and Brazing Equipment and Oxy-Fuel Cutting Equipment Introduction
Hand tools are used in almost every trade, though many are designed for specific tasks within particular industries and trades. You may have already used some of these tools at work, at school, or at home. However, this may be your first opportunity to examine their design, function, and applications in greater detail. Understanding how tools are designed and why they are used in certain ways will help you work more safely, efficiently, and confidently in your trade.
Learning Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to:
- Describe Oxy-Acetylene Equipment.
- Use Oxy-Acetylene Equipment.
- Describe Soldering and Brazing Equipment.
- Describe Cutting, Brazing and Soldering Techniques.
- Use Soldering and Brazing Equipment.
- Use Oxy-Fuel Equipment.
You will be required to reference publications and videos available online at WorkSafeBC.
Terminology
The following terms will be used throughout this section. A complete list of terms for this section can be found in the Glossary.
- acetylene: A flammable fuel gas made of carbon and hydrogen that burns at a very high temperature when mixed with oxygen. It is commonly used for welding, brazing, and cutting metal. (Section B-5.1)
- backfire: A small explosion that occurs when the flame burns back into the torch tip during cutting or welding, often making a popping sound. (Section B-5.1)
- capillary action: The way a liquid (like melted solder) is pulled into small spaces between two surfaces without being pushed. (Section B-5.2)
- eutectic alloy: A special type of metal mixture that melts and hardens at one exact temperature instead of over a range. (Section B-5.2)
- flashback: A dangerous condition where the flame travels backward through the torch and hoses toward the regulator, which can lead to fire or explosion. (Section B-5.1)
- flashback arrestor: A safety device installed in oxy-fuel equipment that stops flames from travelling backward through hoses or equipment during a flashback. (Section B-5.1)
- flux: A substance used in soldering or brazing to clean metal surfaces and help melted metal flow smoothly into a joint. (Section B-5.1)
- kerf: The cut or gap left in a material after it has been cut with a tool or torch. (Section B-5.1)
- neutral flame: A flame with the right mix of oxygen and fuel so it burns clean and does not damage the metal. (Section B-5.2)
- oxidizing effect: The ability of oxygen to make materials burn faster and hotter by increasing the rate of combustion. (Section B-5.1)
- oxidizing flame: A flame with too much oxygen that can cause metal to burn or become brittle. (Section B-5.2)
- oxy-acetylene: A system that uses a mixture of oxygen and acetylene gas to produce a high-temperature flame for cutting, welding, or heating metal. (Section B-5.3)
- plastic (pasty) range: The temperature range where a metal is partly solid and partly liquid, making it soft and easy to shape. (Section B-5.2)
- purging: The process of clearing gas from hoses or equipment to remove air or mixed gases before lighting a torch. (Section B-5.3)
- regulator: A device that controls the pressure of gas flowing from a cylinder to ensure safe and consistent operation. (Section B-5.3)
- reverse flow check valve (RFCV): A device that prevents gases from flowing backward into hoses or cylinders, helping to reduce the risk of fire or explosion. (Section B-5.3)
- slag: The leftover melted material that forms during cutting or welding and may stick to the metal or fall away. (Section B-5.1)
- striker: A tool used to safely ignite a welding torch by producing a spark. (Section B-5.3)
