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'''MAPP gas''' is [[liquefied petroleum gas]] (LPG) mixed with [[methylacetylene]]-[[allene|propadiene]]. '''MAPP''' is the [[tradename]] for a product of the [[Dow Chemical Company]]. In Australia it is known as ''RazorGas'' and is a trademark of [[ELGAS]].
'''MAPP gas''' is [[liquefied petroleum gas]] (LPG) mixed with [[methylacetylene]]-[[allene|propadiene]]. '''MAPP''' is the [[tradename]] for a product of the [[Dow Chemical Company]]. In Australia it is known as ''RazorGas'' and is a trademark of [[ELGAS]].


The [[gas]] is used for [[welding]] due to its high [[combustion]] [[temperature]] of 2927&nbsp;°C (5301&nbsp;°F) in [[oxygen]]. Although [[acetylene]] has a higher welding temperature (3160 °C, 5720 °F) {{cn}}<!--what pressure?-->, MAPP has the advantage that it requires neither dilution nor special container fillers during transport, allowing a greater [[volume]] of welding gas to be transported at the same given [[weight]]. Also, MAPP is advantageously used in underwater welding, which requires high gas [[pressure]]s. (Under such pressures acetylene [[chemical reaction|decomposes]] explosively to [[benzene]], making it dangerous to use.)
The [[gas]] is used for [[welding]] due to its high [[combustion]] [[temperature]] of 2927&nbsp;°C (5301&nbsp;°F) {{cn}}<!--what pressure?--> in [[oxygen]]. Although [[acetylene]] has a higher welding temperature (3160 °C, 5720 °F) {{cn}}<!--what pressure?-->, MAPP has the advantage that it requires neither dilution nor special container fillers during transport, allowing a greater [[volume]] of welding gas to be transported at the same given [[weight]]. Also, MAPP is advantageously used in underwater welding, which requires high gas [[pressure]]s. (Under such pressures acetylene [[chemical reaction|decomposes]] explosively to [[benzene]], making it dangerous to use.)


The gas is also used for [[brazing]] and [[soldering]], under combustion in ambient air, where it has considerable advantage over competing [[propane]] fuel due to its higher combustion temperature. A typical MAPP gas brazing operation would involve using it to silver [[Brazing|braze]] (sometimes colloquially and inaccurately called silver solder) steel parts together.
The gas is also used for [[brazing]] and [[soldering]], under combustion in ambient air, where it has considerable advantage over competing [[propane]] fuel due to its higher combustion temperature. A typical MAPP gas brazing operation would involve using it to silver [[Brazing|braze]] (sometimes colloquially and inaccurately called silver solder) steel parts together.

Revision as of 09:27, 5 October 2007

A set of MAPP and oxygen cylinders used for oxy-fuel welding and cutting.

MAPP gas is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) mixed with methylacetylene-propadiene. MAPP is the tradename for a product of the Dow Chemical Company. In Australia it is known as RazorGas and is a trademark of ELGAS.

The gas is used for welding due to its high combustion temperature of 2927 °C (5301 °F) [citation needed] in oxygen. Although acetylene has a higher welding temperature (3160 °C, 5720 °F) [citation needed], MAPP has the advantage that it requires neither dilution nor special container fillers during transport, allowing a greater volume of welding gas to be transported at the same given weight. Also, MAPP is advantageously used in underwater welding, which requires high gas pressures. (Under such pressures acetylene decomposes explosively to benzene, making it dangerous to use.)

The gas is also used for brazing and soldering, under combustion in ambient air, where it has considerable advantage over competing propane fuel due to its higher combustion temperature. A typical MAPP gas brazing operation would involve using it to silver braze (sometimes colloquially and inaccurately called silver solder) steel parts together.

Plumbers use both MAPP gas and propane for pipe soldering and brazing, but MAPP gas' higher combustion temperature makes such jobs quicker. MAPP gas is also popular among glass lampworkers, for instance glass bead makers.

The biggest disadvantage of MAPP gas is cost; it is between two and four times as expensive as propane (depending on quantity, supplier, and bottle size). While nine kilogram propane cylinders are common, the largest MAPP cylinder available in Australia is three kilograms.

MAPP is colorless in both liquid and gas form. The gas has a pronounced garlic or fishy odor at concentrations above 100 ppm and is toxic if inhaled at high concentrations.