What type of flame is created by having a white feather due to excess fuel?

A white feather in the flame indicates that there is an excess of fuel present, which is characteristic of a carburizing flame. In oxyfuel cutting, this type of flame occurs when the amount of acetylene (fuel gas) exceeds the required amount for combustion with oxygen.

The presence of a white feather specifically denotes the incomplete combustion of fuel, resulting in the flame containing a higher concentration of carbon. This is typically used when specific materials or processes require such conditions, as a carburizing flame can promote hardening in metals or be advantageous for welding certain alloys.

Understanding the nature of the flame types is crucial for effective oxyfuel cutting and welding. A neutral flame, for example, has equal amounts of oxygen and acetylene and does not have the white feather characteristic. An oxidizing flame has too much oxygen and can cause oxidation of the metal, whereas the cutting flame is more specific to cutting rather than describing a fuel-rich condition. Thus, recognizing the flame characteristics plays a significant role in achieving the desired results in metal fabrication.