What is the material expelled from the kerf during a thermal cutting process called?

During a thermal cutting process, such as oxy-fuel cutting or plasma cutting, the material that is expelled from the kerf is known as dross. Dross refers specifically to the molten material that solidifies as it is expelled from the cut line, typically forming a residue along the edge of the cut. This material results from the melting of the base metal, and its presence can impact the quality of the cut surface. Understanding the role of dross is crucial for operators, as minimizing dross can enhance the cutting quality and reduce the amount of finishing work required after cutting.

Waste refers more generally to any unwanted material that results from any manufacturing process, not limited specifically to thermal cutting. Shavings are generally associated with processes that involve removing material through cutting tools like drills or lathes, while debris is a broad term that can encompass various forms of leftover materials, but it is not specific to the residues produced by thermal cutting processes.