Effect of Heat Input on the Hardness of Plasma Cut Edges

Abstract

This thesis investigates the effect of heat input on the hardness of plasma-cut edges. Plasma arc cutting, a widely used cutting technique in the industry, is a thermal cutting process that uses a high-velocity jet of plasma to melt and remove material. The heat-affected zone and variants of the process, including standard, secondary medium, water injection, and other variations, are also discussed. The plasma arc-cutting machine and the heat energy distribution in the cutting process are described, and the benefits and safety considerations of plasma cutting are highlighted. The experimental procedure is presented, including the aim, materials, experimental setup, specimen preparation, and subsequently measuring the hardness of the cut edges using a standardized testing method. The results of the macrostructure testing, hardness measurement, and micro-hardness measurement are discussed, and the conclusion is drawn that the hardness of plasma cut edges is affected by the heat input during the process.