Cut Time: Feed Rate for Thermal and Abrasive Cutting
Reference values from public manufacturer information, unverified; your own values take precedence.
Cut time
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Disclaimer: All calculation aids, formulas, tables and reference values on this page are for guidance only. They do not replace the applicable standard texts, the material and equipment manufacturers' data, a welding procedure specification, or a case-by-case technical review. Invictix Systems gives no warranty as to accuracy, completeness or currency and accepts no liability for damages arising from their use. Only the applicable standards, manufacturer data and your own production trials are binding.
Abrasive waterjet is the preferred process for armour steel, across all grades and thicknesses: no heat-affected zone, but a slightly conical cut that should be compensated in CAM on thick plate at high feed rates. Fiber laser suits thinner plate, up to roughly 20 mm on high-hardness grades, with a kerf usually under 1 mm and a heat-affected zone usually under 3 mm. Plasma reaches roughly 25 mm on high-hardness grades, with a 3 to 4 mm kerf and up to 5 mm heat-affected zone; underwater plasma further reduces distortion and the heat-affected zone. Oxy-fuel cutting goes up to roughly 100 mm, with a 2 to 5 mm kerf and 4 to 10 mm heat-affected zone, but only with preheat – uncontrolled oxy-fuel cutting of high-hardness armour steel otherwise produces cold cracks, typically from 20 to 30 mm thickness upward. For plasma and oxy-fuel, production needs an allowance for kerf and heat-affected zone, and the first milling pass on a thermally cut edge should be at least 2 mm deep.
Calculation aid based on: Reference book, chapter 3; reference values unverified. Replaces neither the standard text nor manufacturer data nor a welding procedure specification.