AWSC4.

1-77

Criteria for Describing

Oxygen-Cut Surfaces
This document is an aid to assist users, inspectors, and producers in communicating
among one another their needs with regard to the oxygen-cut surface.
The quality of an oxygen-cut surface is dependent on many variables, some of which
are as follows:
(1) Material and surface condition
(2) Operator ability
(3) Condition and design of torches, tips and cutting machines
(4) Oxygen purity
(5) Vibrations from nearby equipment
(6) Movement of the workpiece due to thermal expansion and contraction
Acceptance levels of an oxygen-cut surface should be established by the user, based
upon the service requirements of the part. It is recommended that criteria pertinent to
these acceptance levels be incorporated into the users shop drawings and bid documents.

Repair of Oxygen-Cut Surfaces

It may be necessary to repair the as-cut surface to correct one of the conditions herein
described to meet acceptance levels established by the user. One accepted method is grinding. However, when repairs to meet acceptance levels require welding, such repair should
be performed in accordance with applicable code requirements. The method of repair
should be mutually agreeable to user and producer.

Personnel
AWS Committee on Gas Welding and Oxygen Cutting
C. A. Van Horn, Chairman

F. H. Sasse, Vice-Chairman
T J. Olivera , Secretary
H. E. Cable
W Fildes
R. D. Green
D. R. Griffith*
F. Hach
J. T Johnson
L . L. Johnson
D. B. Kittle*
J. B. Levinson
E.K.Long
R.A. Manley
C. R. McGowan
J. E. McQuillen
L. C. Smith
D. W. Smith

Chemetron Corporation
Union Carbide Corp.
American Welding Society
Weld Tooling Corporation
Caterpillar Tractor Co .
MAPP Products
Gas Arc Supply
Harris Calorific Co.
Victor Equipment Co.
Pittsburgh-Des Moines Steel Co .
General Electric
Levinson Steel Corp.
Newport News Shipbuilding
J. A. Jones Construction Co.
American Bridge Div.
Air Products and Chemicals
Airco Welding Products
Rexarc Inc.

*Advisory Member

Prepared by
AWS Committee on Gas Welcling and Oxygen Cutting
Under the Direction of
AWS Technical Activities Committee
Approved by
AWS Board of Directors, October 18,1976

1977 by American Welding Society

All rights reserved
American Welding Society, 2501 N.W. 7th Street, Miami, FL 33125
Note: By publication of these Criteria the American Welding Society does not insure
anyone utilizing the Criteria against liability arising from the use of such Criteria. A publication of Criteria by the American Welcling Society does not carry with it any right to
make, use or sell any patented items. Each prospective should make an independent
investigation.
Printed in the United States of America

A= specified angle, square or bevel

cuts
B =the deviation from the specified
angle

Angularity (A): The deviation in degrees at any point of the cut surface from the specified angle

Top Edge Rounding (T): Melting of the top edge of an oxygen-cut surface.

Slag (S): Deposits resulting from the oxygen cutting

process which adhere to the base metal or cut surface.

~1977

by American Welding Society

Flatness (F): The distance between

the two closest parallel planes
between which all points of the cut
surface lie.

Draglines (D): Lines which appear on the oxygen-cut surface. Their contours and directions do
not affect the quality of the cut surface.

Roughness (R): Roughness consists of

recurring peaks and valleys in the oxygen-cut
surface. This can be determined by samples
of acceptable quality, or by comparison
to the AWS C4.1 Surface Roughness Guide
for Oxygen Cutting.

(Bottom View)

Notch (N): Gouges in an oxygen-cut surface significantly deeper than

the overall surface roughness.

Terms for Describing

Oxygen-Cut Surfaces
Flatness (F): The distance between the two closest parallel
planes between whtch all pomts
of the cut surface lie.
Angularity (A): The dev1at1on m
degrees at any point of the cut
surface from the specified angle.
Draglines (D): Lines which appear on the oxygen-cut surface.
The1r contours and directions do
not affect the quality of the cut
surface.
Roughness (R)! Roughness consists of recurnng peaks and valleys in the oxygen-cut surface
Th1s can be determined by samples of acceptable quality, or by
comparison to the AWS C4.1 Surface Roughness Gu1de for Oxygen Cutting.
Top Edge Rounding (T): Meltmg of the top edge of an oxygencut surface
Notch (N): Gouges In an oxygencut surface sign1f1cantly deeper
than the overall surface roughness.
Slag {5): Deposits resulting from
the oxygen cuttmg process which
adhere to the base metal or cut
surface