IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THERMOCHEMICALLY SCARFING THE SURFACE OF A METAL BODY

摘要

A thermochemical scarfing process and apparatus capable of reducing the amount of smoke discharged to the atmosphere and/or of preventing the formation of "secondary" fins when spot scarfing, comprising: (a) scarfing oxygen is directed against a reaction zone of molten metal on the surface of the workpiece to produce a scarfing reaction, and (b) relative movement is provided between the oxygen stream and the workpiece, said reaction forming a molten puddle in front of the reaction zone that grows larger as the cut progresses, wherein the improvement comprises: (c) directing at least one stream of non-reactive fluid to form a fluid, sheet-like curtain that provides a cover over the reaction zone and at least the rear portion of the molten puddle in such manner that said curtain forms a pocket with the surface of the workpiece.