Cutting Magnetic Plate

[Stout]

I have been trying to get good cuts on a sheet of AR500 that is also magnetic. I'm getting a quite a bit of bevel and the nozzles are not lasting very long. Does anyone know if the magnetism can cause issues with plasma cutting. I know it will cause issues with MIG and TIG welding.

[jimcolt]

Usually the magnetism on this type of plate is created by lifting the plate with magnets. Highly magnetic areas will deflect the arc (with some plasma processes, not all) and can cause short life.

Can you verify that there are areas of high magnetism? What plasma system and process level (power) are your currently using?


Jim Colt Hypertherm

[Stout]

It was cut with a PM1250 using .500 mild steel settings at 80 amps. I've completed the job so the plate is now many small plates. The magnetism seemed to decrease as the plate got smaller and the cuts got better. So now I'm troubleshooting after the fact.

I lift with a plate clamp so the magnetism was not induced here. I'v never seen SSS steel use magnets either. But that doesn't rule them out.

[JEd]

I've noticed that AR500 plate is magnetic after I cut it.

[Stout]

I still have a bunch of AR500 and none of those plates are magnetic. So it's a new one to me.