What is a flame burning with too much fuel called?

A flame burning with too much fuel is known as a carburizing flame. This type of flame occurs when there is an excess of fuel in the combustion process, which leads to an insufficient amount of oxygen. As a result, the flame exhibits characteristics such as a longer inner cone and a softer, more luminous appearance. This indicates that the combustion is producing carbon particles, which can combine with the molten metal during welding, making it particularly suitable for certain applications such as welding high-carbon steels.

In contrast, a neutral flame has a balanced mixture of fuel and oxygen, producing a clean and efficient burn with no excess of either component. An oxidizing flame contains more oxygen than fuel, which can cause a hotter, more aggressive burn that may lead to oxidation of the metal being welded. The extinguishing flame isn't commonly used terminology in this context and refers more broadly to flames that are being snuffed out rather than describing a specific combustion imbalance.