Arc air gouging

Air carbon arc gouging was first developed in the 1940s. [1] It has since become widely accepted as an efficient metal working tool, particularly in foundries and in welding and allied industries. The process has earned its popularity by its ability to remove metal faster than manual grinding, chipping and flame gouging, and it readily lends itself to many applications, for example cleaning castings, cutting edge preparations, back gouging root runs and defect removal. Metal removal rates of up to 70 kg/hr can be achieved, using 19mm diameter electrodes. [2]

Air carbon arc gouging uses an electric arc maintained between a consumable carbon-graphite electrode and the material surface to be cut. The arc produces a high temperature which melts a portion of the surface of the underlying material, while a high velocity air jet is directed at the arc, blowing away the molten metal.