Which tool uses a flame to burn through metal?

• A. Oxyacetylene Torch
• B. Plasma Cutter
• C. Water Jet
• D. Laser Cutting

Answer: (A)

Using a flame to burn through metal involves flame cutting, where heat from combustion is used to oxidize and melt the metal along a cut line. An oxyacetylene torch achieves this by burning acetylene with oxygen to create a very hot flame that preheats the metal and then uses a jet of oxygen to oxidize and blow away the metal as it advances. The other tools operate without a flame: a plasma cutter uses a high-temperature plasma jet created by an electric arc to melt metal, a water jet cuts with high-pressure water (often with abrasive) without burning, and laser cutting uses a focused laser beam to melt or vaporize material. Therefore, the tool that uses flame to burn through metal is the oxyacetylene torch.