Difference Between Acetylene and Propane

High Quality Welding: It is a well-known fact that acetylene produces a sharp and focused flame more than propane. Propane generates less than 10% thermal energy, whereas acetylene generates 40% of thermal energy in the inner flame cone. This helps ensure better weld quality and cutting using oxy acetylene.

1. Can I use an acetylene torch with propane?
2. Are acetylene and propane regulators the same?
3. Why is acetylene so dangerous?
4. Is propane cheaper than acetylene?
5. Which is safer propane or acetylene?
6. What should I set my oxygen and acetylene?
7. Can you braze with propane gas?
8. What gas can replace acetylene when welding aluminum?
9. How hot is oxy propane?
10. What is a MAPP torch?
11. How hot does an air acetylene torch get?

Can I use an acetylene torch with propane?

First of all, you still need to use oxy-acetylene kit to do the welding job because propane and propylene cannot do the job. ... To use your current acetylene kit with propane or propylene, you do not need to replace the oxygen regulator, torch handle or cutting attachment.

Are acetylene and propane regulators the same?

Same thread for propane as acetylene. They make propane specific regulators but an acetylene regulator will work fine. For cutting need to use propane tips and propane rosebuds for heating. You can't weld with propane though, only braze.

Why is acetylene so dangerous?

Acetylene poses unique hazards based on its high flammability, instability and unique storage and transportation requirements. Acetylene is highly unstable. High pressure or temperatures can result in decomposition that can result in fire or explosion.

Is propane cheaper than acetylene?

Propane has greater stoichiometric oxygen requirements than acetylene. ... So, there is far more oxygen being consumed when using Propane. Despite Propane being less expensive than acetylene, this is counteracted by the higher oxygen consumption.

Which is safer propane or acetylene?

The flammability limit of acetylene in the air is 2.5% to 82%, whereas that of propane is 2.1% to 9.5%. This may lead to a conclusion that acetylene is more dangerous than propane; however, the same is not true. Acetylene's specific gravity 0.9 so it is lighter than air.

What should I set my oxygen and acetylene?

In case the recommended working pressure settings are not indicated, safe numbers are 40 psi for oxygen and 10 psi for acetylene, regardless of cutting tip size. Simply adjust them until you get a neutral flame, but pay close attention to the acetylene pressure to prevent it from exceeding the limit.

Can you braze with propane gas?

While acetylene gas is always required as the fuel for gas welding, braze welding can be performed with the other fuel gases such as propane, natural gas, propylene, etc., as well as with acetylene.

What gas can replace acetylene when welding aluminum?

The most common substitute for acetylene is propylene which is much more stable than acetylene and can be used at significantly higher pressures.

How hot is oxy propane?

A common propane/air flame burns at about 2,250 K (1,980 °C; 3,590 °F), a propane/oxygen flame burns at about 2,526 K (2,253 °C; 4,087 °F), an oxyhydrogen flame burns at 3,073 K (2,800 °C; 5,072 °F) and an acetylene/oxygen flame burns at about 3,773 K (3,500 °C; 6,332 °F).

What is a MAPP torch?

A MAPP (methylacetylene-propadiene propane) torch is a type of portable flame device that is used to heat various objects. A MAPP torch can get much hotter than a propane torch and therefore is very useful for various applications. MAPP torches are most often used for welding, soldering and brazing pipes.

How hot does an air acetylene torch get?

Air-acetylene produces a flame temperature of around 4000° F (2200° C). This is hot enough to solder aluminum work glass, repair radiators and braze plumbing fixtures. It is not hot enough to weld steel. When acetylene is burned in pure oxygen, the flame temperature may be as high as 5730° F (3166° C).