acetylene gas for heating steel ?

[avigdor]

hi

what do you guy's think about using acetylene gas to heat steel ???
is it better then propen ???

thanks

avi

 

[Dan Seaver]

For a torch acetylene is a good gas, a bit dangerous but good. For a forge, not so good. One fella tried adding a small amount of acetylene gas to his air supply for his forge in addition to the propane that was being burnt. Well, he burnt a hole though the insulation and forge.

A well built propane forge will hit 2700F, you don't need more heat unless your casting steel. Even a inefficient forge will hit 2100F. For a gas forge propane is plenty and using acetylene would just be asking for trouble.

 

[Edro20]

IIRC acetylene flame can reach 6000+ degrees F. A bit much to say the least.

 

[avigdor]

i ment only acetylene without oxigen turch
is it still that hi ???

 

[drewfacehotm]

acetylene has a max working pressure of 15 psi, anything higher and it can self ignite, not something to experiment with.

 

[Phil Dwyer]

In addition to the safety, engineering and heat issues it would be more expensive (at least in these parts). Propane is readily available, and although expensive, it's considerably less costly than acetylene.