A pressed thermite rod for a self-contained portable cutting device is disclosed having a longitudinal section of a rectangle shape and a cross-section of an elongated shape on its entire length with a height to width ratio ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 and with long sides parallel at least in their middle section. The cross-section of the pressed thermite rod may be close to rectangular. In other embodiments, the pressed thermite rod has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners; convex rounded short sides; or rounded corners at a first short side and a convex rounded second short side.

A silver-copper cutting electrode assembly, and method of manufacture is provided with optimized attributes to allow for improved durability, integrity and manufacturability. An electrode has a silver tip portion which is brazed to a copper body portion where the silver portion and joint have a particular structural relationship.

The present invention provides the following: a covered flux which has a low chromium content and which can improve the fatigue strength of a weld in additional welding; and a covered electrode. The covered flux used for a covered electrode has a composition that contains, relative to the total mass of the covered flux, 35-55 mass % of a metal carbonate (in terms of CO2), 10-30 mass % of a metal fluoride (in terms of F), and 8.5-20 mass % of Mn and/or 7.5-20 mass % of Ni. In addition, the covered electrode is obtained by coating an iron-based core wire with this covered flux.

A plasma arc torch that includes a torch body having a nozzle mounted relative to a composite electrode in the body to define a plasma chamber. The torch body includes a plasma flow path for directing a plasma gas to the plasma chamber in which a plasma arc is formed. The nozzle includes a hollow, body portion and a substantially solid, head portion defining an exit orifice. The composite electrode can be made of a metallic material (e.g., silver) with high thermal conductivity in the forward portion electrode body adjacent the emitting surface, and the aft portion of the electrode body is made of a second low cost, metallic material with good thermal and electrical conductivity. This composite electrode configuration produces an electrode with reduced electrode wear or pitting comparable to a silver electrode, for a price comparable to that of a copper electrode.

A pressed thermite rod for a self-contained portable cutting device is disclosed having a longitudinal section of a rectangle shape and a cross-section of an elongated shape on its entire length with a height to width ratio ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 and with long sides parallel at least in their middle section. The cross-section of the pressed thermite rod may be close to rectangular. In other embodiments, the pressed thermite rod has a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners; convex rounded short sides; or rounded corners at a first short side and a convex rounded second short side.

A system for performing exothermic operations or oxygen delivery uses a rod and handle configuration to create a flowpath of oxygen. The rod includes cables having stainless steel fibers that burn using the oxygen within a hollow center area. While burning, the rod cuts through material. A sheath covers the covers to contain the gases and prevent unraveling of the cables. The handle attaches to the rod and provides control of the flow of oxygen to the rod. A manifold fixing in place bottles of oxygen connects to the handle and can be fixed to provide different mixtures from different bottles. The rod is disconnected when needed to fix a mask thereto for delivering breathable oxygen to a patient.

A system for performing exothermic operations or oxygen delivery uses a rod and handle configuration to create a flowpath of oxygen. The rod includes cables having stainless steel fibers that burn using the oxygen within a hollow center area. While burning, the rod cuts through material. A sheath covers the covers to contain the gases and prevent unraveling of the cables. The handle attaches to the rod and provides control of the flow of oxygen to the rod. A manifold fixing in place bottles of oxygen connects to the handle and can be fixed to provide different mixtures from different bottles. The rod is disconnected when needed to fix a mask thereto for delivering breathable oxygen to a patient.

An electrode is provided for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes a body having an elongated forward portion and a ring-shaped aft portion. The forward portion is configured to provide an electrically conductive path from the distal end to the proximal end. The forward portion comprises a first conductive material. The ring-shaped aft portion, defining a hollow center, is configured to substantially surround a portion of the forward portion when the forward portion is located inside of the hollow center. The aft portion includes a pneumatic reaction region for receiving a biasing flow of a pressurized gas. The aft portion comprises a second material. In some embodiments, the first conductive material is the same as the second material.

A system for performing exothermic operations or oxygen delivery uses a rod and handle configuration to create a flowpath of oxygen. The rod includes cables having stainless steel fibers that burn using the oxygen within a hollow center area. While burning, the rod cuts through material. A sheath covers the covers to contain the gases and prevent unraveling of the cables. The handle attaches to the rod and provides control of the flow of oxygen to the rod. A manifold fixing in place bottles of oxygen connects to the handle and can be fixed to provide different mixtures from different bottles. The rod is disconnected when needed to fix a mask thereto for delivering breathable oxygen to a patient.

A nozzle for a plasma arc torch is provided. The nozzle includes a substantially hollow, elongated nozzle body capable of receiving an electrode, the body defining a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. The nozzle also includes a swirl sleeve attachable to an interior surface of the nozzle body, the swirl sleeve configured to impart a swirling motion to a gas introduced to the nozzle. The nozzle additionally includes a nozzle tip connected to the proximal end of the nozzle body, a nozzle shield, and an insulator configured to connect the nozzle tip and the nozzle shield to electrically insulate the nozzle shield and the nozzle tip from one another while transferring thermal energy therebetween.