Flame Gouging:

This method is utilized for cutting the grooves along with very smooth contours in steel plate without even penetrating the plates. This is an extension of oxy-acetylene cutting procedure. In this method principle of operation is similar as that of oxy-acetylene process, except that special kinds of nozzle are utilized in standard cutting blow pipe. The cutting torch might have a straight 75°or 180° angle head together with a range of special gouging nozzles.

In gouging a big orifice low velocity jet is utilized instead of high velocity jets. Gouging is utilized extensively to eliminate deep defects in steel revealed by magnetic, radiographic and other non-destructive inspection methods.

The most common gouging job is to eliminate tack welds that initially hold work together till the welder might make the final weld. Gouging is also utilized for removing blowholes, weld defects, or sand inclusions in castings; for welds made on temporary brackets or supports; for eliminating flanges from piping and pressure-vessel heads; and for eliminating old tubes from boilers. Flame gouging is utilized in demolition work and preparing specially shaped plate edges for welding.