Which type of gas is used in combination with oxygen in hot work operations to produce high-temperature flames?

In hot work operations, acetylene is used in combination with oxygen to produce high-temperature flames, making it the preferred gas for processes like cutting and welding. When mixed with oxygen, acetylene can reach temperatures exceeding 3,000 degrees Celsius, which is ideal for melting and fusing metals. This extreme heat allows for effective cutting and welding, which are essential in construction and fabrication tasks.

The properties of acetylene, specifically its ability to produce such high temperatures when burned with oxygen, make it highly valuable in hot work activities. In contrast, the other gases listed do not provide the same high flame temperature necessary for these operations. For example, nitrogen is not combustible and does not support combustion; hydrogen burns at a lower temperature than acetylene and is not as widely used for high-temperature applications; and argon is an inert gas that cannot produce a flame on its own, serving primarily in welding as a shielding gas rather than a fuel.