THE OXY-ACETONE PROCESS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 11 February 1920, Page 4

THE OXY-ACETONE PROCESS.

Amongst the most -wonderful aids that applied science has lent to modern industry must be set down the oxyacetone process, or autogenous welding, which has completely changed the method of dealing with metals in manufacturing and' repairing work. The process is based on the important discovery that two gases, oxygen and acetylene, burned in approximately equal parts cause most intense heat, which, when concentrated by means of a blow-pipe on a small space, makes it possible, to fuse metals by melting

or puddling them together. By adding sticks of the same metal to make up for loss in cleaning the fracture, the weakness is reinforced, and often the break can bo improved by thus adding purer and superior metal. This is the

■only elfeetiTe way of welding broken or cracked castings of iron, stell, aluminium or brass. There indeed, very few metals that will not readily fuse under this method of heating. Pure nickel is unweldable, so that in a metal where a large proportion of that clement is added, it will not be so ■satisfactory, but Ihe ordinary metals that are most commonly used can with certainty lie united. This process lias contributed largely to Hie success of aeroplane building", lis reliability i» uniting joints has made it possible to supersede the riveting and plating process, thus making for lightness in construction. Carbon deposits can be readily remoVed by using a single jet of oxygen. Once incandescense has been started with a

lighted match, the oxygen docs the rest. The same oxygen will cut holes in plates, taking advantage of the well-known law that; a jet of oxygen directed on a previously heated spot of metal ignites it, with the result that, the metal, acting as its own fuel, burns away rapidly in the fonn of iron uxide. Blow-pipes are therefore censtructod to heat the metal, and an auxiliary jet is designed to blow away the molten metal, thus blowing a hole through steel plate. The cutting can be made to follow any given line, executing circles, curves or profiles as desired. By a combination of cylinders, plates "over four inches in thickness can be cut, and it is even possible to cut 14in armour plate. The advantage of this gas weld is that it is possible to reinforce castiron by laying wrought iron across a fracture and amalgamating the whole. Hard steel can easily be welded to points of farming implements to. make tip for excessive wear, superseding the old method of forging. Were it not for this process it would be necessary to scrap engines whose cylinders have cracked or broken. Gear cases, crank shafts and connecting rods can all be successfully treated by it. It is not

an uncommon experience to cut into a safe, and break away the bolt of the lock, making it possible to open the door, and after titling a key, the face plate can be welder! Without showing a Inark. in boilers where the steam has

eaten a way the plating, the pits can be tilled, thus preserving it, and sometimes saving a formidable patch, which in the absence of the oxy-acetonc pro-

cess would have to be tolerated »r the boiler condemned. Often in machines pins become worn, and holes too big and the strength of the parts is thereby impaired. Then by welding it is possible to fit proper holes in these cases. Where brazing is necessary the blow-pipe can be as readily used. It has the advantage over electric welding in the fact that electricity cannot always be obtained, and where the electric wold must always be a. lapped plate or jump-jointed, it is not always possible in repair work to do that. Ofte'n it is necessary to take the plant' to the work, which might be in the bush. Mild steel properly treated can be subjected to any test, and can with certainty be guaranteed not to break.

In the case of cast iron it may break, hut not in the same place where it has boon welded.

Owners of machinery and farmers will be interested to learn that Messrs Sawtell and Franklin have installed

an oxy-acelone plant at their premise* in Levin, and will be able to undertake all classes of metal repair work. .Mr Franklin is an expert in the prorcss. having been for fourteen years engaged in the work in and Wellington. During that time he car-, ried. out several achievements that attracted some notice, the most nstable being the welding of the sternpost of the steamer Koonya. a huge casting of live tons weight.