What is a plasma?
You've certainly heard about three basic states of matter - solids, liquids and gases. But there's a fourth. Yes, this is plasma.
Plasmas may be found in nature, but mostly in the upper atmosphere of the earth. The well-known aurora is the result of a solar wind composed of plasma. Lighting and high-temperature fires also include plasma. The same is true of our bodies.
Overall, it makes up 99% of the visible matter in the universe.
In our daily life, we will encounter plasma in TV, fluorescent lights, neon lights and, of course, plasma cutting machines.
Plasma is a conductive, ionized gas-like substance. This means that some atoms lose electrons and some free electrons float around.
Gases are heated strongly and can be converted to plasma. This is why plasma is often called ionized gas.
A plasma is similar to a gas because atoms do not always touch each other. At the same time, it has a similar flow capacity as a liquid under the action of an electric field and a magnetic field.
How does the plasma cutter work?
Plasma cutting is a hot cutting method. This means that it melts metal with heat instead of cutting it mechanically.
The overall mechanism of the system is always the same. Plasma cutting machines use compressed air or other gases, such as nitrogen. The ionization of these gases produces plasma.
Usually, a compressed gas contacts the electrodes and then ionizes, creating greater pressure. As the pressure increases, a plasma beam is pushed towards the cutting head.
The cutting tip shrinks to flow, forming a plasma flow. It is then placed on the workpiece. As the plasma conducts, the workpiece is connected to the ground through the cutting table.
When a plasma arc touches a metal, it melts at high temperatures. Meanwhile, high-speed gases blow away the melted metal.
