The mixing chamber in an oxy-acetylene torch ensures that the gases are properly combined.
A mixing chamber is a small compartment in the feed systems used by gas welding systems. Its function is to ensure the proper mixing levels of the different gases used in the combustion process, necessary to keep the welding material hot enough to fuse two separate materials during the welding process. These chambers can be located within the feed system at the beginning of the feed lines or at the very tip of the device used to supply the welding material to the materials to be welded.
The two most common gases used in the welding process are oxygen and acetylene. To produce a consistent pattern in the heat and flow of these weld materials, the measurements of the two gases must remain constant and the gases must be properly mixed. The mixing chamber is an important section in the gas feeding process as its main function is to maintain the continuous flow of the proper mixing amounts of the two gases to ensure proper combustion. If the two gases become too rich or too poor in just one of the components, the torch will not produce the correct amount of heat, leaving a poor quality weld. The mixing chamber ensures that this does not happen.
The mixing chamber located at the tip of the welding torch, where it works by creating turbulence in the two gases, ensures proper mixing of the two. The amount of turbulence created is based on the size and shape of the chamber. The chamber itself is larger in size or diameter than the gas feed line, as well as larger than the feed line coming out of the mixing chamber. A sudden opening in the feed line allows the mixing chamber to create the necessary turbulence in each of the gases, releasing the gases and ensuring proper mixing and amounts of each gas being dosed.
Anyone who operates a welding or cutting torch must be fully trained in how to use these components. Pure oxygen is not flammable, but it is an accelerant that can make things burn faster and even cause normally flammable substances to burn. That is why special care must be taken with acetylene and oxygen. It is also imperative that the user of such a welding tool know how to troubleshoot and diagnose any potential problems with one of these machines. If a crack occurs in the mixing chamber, gases can escape prematurely, which can be extremely dangerous.