About carbon arc gouging

Carbon arc gouging is a method where metal is removed by melting it with a welding arc and blowing the melted metal away with compressed air. Carbon arc gouging can be used with the majority of metals, such as steel, stainless steel, cast iron, nickel, copper, magnesium and aluminum.

There are two main types of gouging carbons, round and flat. A round gouging carbon can be used in:

• Opening a root weld
• Opening faulty welds and cracks
• Manufacturing welding grooves
• Cutting metal
• Making holes.

A flat carbon can be used in:

• Arc grading of surface errors in roller slabs
• Cleaning steel casts
• Opening faulty casts
• Arc grading of weld caps.

A round gouging carbon electrode is best suited for general carbon arc gouging applications.

For general guidance only. Current recommendations for different-sized round gouging carbon electrodes:

Round carbon size 4 mm (5/32") 5 mm (3/16") 6.35 mm (1/4") 8 mm (5/16") 9.5 mm (3/8") 13 mm (1/2")
Current (A) 80...150 110...200 170...330 230...450 300...550 460...800
Do not exceed the maximum current specified for a gouging carbon as it will accelerate carbon wear. The gouging current is too high if the copper coating melts faster than the gouging carbon.