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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A flame is affected by the fuel introduced and the oxygen available. A flame with a balanced oxygen-fuel ratio is called a neutral flame. The color of a neutral flame is semi-transparent purple or blue.[1] This flame is optimal for many uses because it does not oxidize or deposit soot onto surfaces.
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If the flame has too much oxygen, an oxidizing flame is produced. When the amount of oxygen increases, the flame shortens due to quicker combustion, its color becomes a more transparent blue, and it hisses/roars.[2] With some exceptions (e.g., platinum soldering in jewelry), the oxidizing flame is usually undesirable for welding and soldering, since, as its name suggests, it oxidizes the metal's surface.[2] The same principle is important in firing pottery.
A reducing flame is a flame with insufficient oxygen. It has an opaque yellow or orange color due to carbon or hydrocarbons[3] which bind with (or reduce) the oxygen contained in the materials the flame processes.[2] The flame is also called carburizing flame, since it tends to introduce carbon soot into the molten metal.
The flame also produces carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas which burns on the outer envelope of flame into carbon dioxide.[4]
Reducing zero-carbon fuel flames, such as reducing hydrogen flames, are exceptions. They don't have an opaque yellow or orange glow, nor do they produce soot or carbon monoxide.
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