Oxygen (O₂)

Features

BOC oxygen is typically supplied with a purity of 99.5% or better
Colourless and odourless
Does not burn but supports and accelerates combustion
Oil, greases and solvents react violently with oxygen and metals may burn. Never use oil or grease to lubricate oxygen or oxygen equipment as they can sponteously combust with explosive force
Oxygen must never be used with Polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) tape, as it will cause combustion. Standard PTFE tape contains oil-based hydrocarbons. BOC does not recommend the use of PTFE or other thread-sealing components in conjunction with any gas cylinder valves or regulators
When using oxygen, it is important to be aware of the hazards associated with an oxygen-enriched or -deficient environment
Non-toxic at atmospheric pressure

Benefits

Vigorously supports combustion. Introducing oxygen to conventional air-fuel flames increases the temperature of the flame
Used as an ingredient in some shielding gas mixtures, due to its ability to help stabilise the arc and reduce surface tension
When cutting, a 1% reduction in purity increases oxygen consumption by 25% and reduces the cutting speed by a similar amount

Applications

Widely used with a fuel gas for cutting, welding, brazing and soldering. The use of oxygen gves higher flame temperatures than if air is used
In oxy-cutting, an oxy-fuel flame preheats the steel to its ignition temperature. A jet of gaseous oxygen flows onto the red-hot steel, generating more heat and melting the steel. The steel in contact with the oxygen jet is oxidised, creating metallic slag which is blown from the cut, allowing more steel to react with the oxygen
In plasma and laser-cutting steel, an arc or laser beam is used to heat the steel to its ignition temperature. Oxygen is then used in the same way as with oxygen-cutting to create an exothermic reaction and to blow away any metal oxide or slag
Thermal lancing oxygen is used in conjunction with the steel lance to create a high-temperature melting process capable of drilling or cutting through materials such as concrete, brick, stone and most metals
High-purity oxygen is used in the laboratories, process-control operations, metal analysis instruments and in semi-conductor production
Used as an assist gas in lasers for cutting mild steel

Cylinder Size

Size Reference	E	F	X	Y	W
Approx. Dimensions (cm)	50x15	86x14	94x14	93x20	146x23
Approx. Gross Weight (kg)	7	18	19	40	85
Approx. Nominal Contents (m³)	0.7	1.4	2.4	4.8	11.1

MCP Size
Size Reference	WW (15xW)	QW Quad* (12xW)	ZW Quad* (20xW)
Approx. Dimensions (cm)	129x181x84	200x104x85	208x133x109
Approx. Gross Weight (kg)	1500	1500	2300
Approx. Nominal Contents (m³)	166	133	222

* Offshore customers only

Please Note

Industrial-grade oxygen must never been used for medical purposes.

Care must be taken in the design process and control systems to ensure that substantial volumes of oxygen and a fuel gas never become mixed together in an enclosed space

Oxygen piping and flow-control systems must be fabricated from materials and components recommended for use with oxygen and follow strict codes of practice and guides issued by the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA)

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