How hot can an exothermic cutting torch operate at?

• A. 6000-6200 degrees Fahrenheit
• B. 8000-8200 degrees Fahrenheit
• C. 7200-7400 degrees Fahrenheit
• D. 5000-5200 degrees Fahrenheit

Answer: (C)

Exothermic cutting torches are designed to push a cutting jet to very high temperatures by adding an exothermic reaction heat source to the oxygen flame. The chemical reaction inside the torch provides extra energy, driving the cutting jet into the upper end of practical temperatures. That combination yields flame/jet temperatures around 7,200 to 7,400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the range commonly cited for this technique.

This is hotter than typical oxy-fuel cutting flames, which stay lower because they rely on the fuel-oxygen mix alone. The 7,200–7,400 °F range reflects the maximum heat output you can reliably achieve with standard exothermic cutting equipment, while temperatures beyond that aren’t typical for normal use.