Can plasma cut metal? Absolutely — and it is one of the most common industrial uses of thermal plasma.

In this video, I explain how plasma cutters work, why they use a hot ionized gas jet to melt and blow away metal, and how this differs from simply striking an arc against a metal surface. I also talk about different gases used in plasma cutting, why laser cutting can be thought of as related to plasma cutting, and why lasers often produce more precise cuts.

Then we go a little further: can plasma cut plastic or glass? What happens when you use plasma on non-metals? And where is the research field going next — including plasma-based manufacturing, cutting, and construction in space or even on the Moon and Mars?

This is part of my “Can Plasma?” series, where I answer viewer questions about what plasma can and cannot do.

Topics covered:

* Can plasma cut metal?

* How thermal plasma cutters work

* Arc cutting vs plasma jet cutting

* Why plasma cutters use gas flow

* Plasma cutting vs laser cutting

* Can plasma cut plastic or glass?

* Plasma manufacturing in space

* Melting lunar regolith with thermal plasma

Ask your plasma questions in the comments.