Gouging Electrodes

The air carbon arc process is flexible, efficient, and cost effective on practically any metal; carbon steel, stainless steel and other ferrous alloys; gray, malleable and ductile cast iron; aluminum; nickel; copper alloys and other nonferrous metals. Single-phase machines with low open-circuit voltage may not work for air carbon arc gouging (CAC-A). However, any three-phase welding power source of sufficient capacity may be used for air carbon arc gouging. The arc voltage used in air carbon arc gouging and cutting ranges from a low of 35 to a high of 56 volts; thus the open-circuit voltage should be at least 60 volts. The actual arc voltage is governed by arc length and the type of gouging. For most applications CAC-A is used with DCEP (reverse polarity). The electrode should extend at most 7 inches from the gouging torch with the air jet between the electrode and workpiece.