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Optical radiation levels produced in gas welding, torch brazing and oxygen cutting.

Moss CE; Murray WE

Welding Journal 1979 Sep; :1-9

http://www.aws.org/w/a/wj/archive.html

00117462

Optical radiation measurements were taken for different welding operations. Optical detectors were used to measure light radiation 1 meter from the source for welding, brazing, and oxygen cutting operations using a variety of base metals, filler metals, gases, and fluxes. The optical energy produced was greatest for a 10 tip welding size and lowest for a 3 tip. There was very little difference in spectral irradiance values among three flame types. The use of a stainless steel filler metal on a low carbon steel base metal with an oxy-methyl-acetylene and propadiene gas mixture produced more optical radiation energy than with other filler metal. Spectral irradiance was much higher on the low carbon base than on the aluminum base. The use of fluxes significantly altered the optical radiation level regardless of base metal. The optical radiation for oxyacetylene was much greater than for oxyhydrogen. Higher oxygen pressure yielded higher optical radiation levels. In recording gas welding, brazing, and oxygen cutting events, the maximum actinic ultraviolet light and luminance values were the only quantities that exceeded recommended guidelines. The authors conclude that gas welding, torch brazing, and oxygen cutting produce relatively low optical radiation levels in comparison with other welding processes. If appropriate safety equipment is used, the maximum optical radiation levels should not present a major occupational hazard. The use of fluxes, large tip sizes, and certain base metals such as stainless steel could result in violation of recommended guidelines.

Welding-industry; Radiation; Control-methods; Radiation-exposure; Radiation-hazards; Welding-equipment; Radiation-sources; Ultraviolet-radiation

WEJUA3

19790901

Journal Article

1979

0043-2296

Welding Journal