There are three basic flame types: neutral (balanced), excess acetylene (carburizing), and excess

oxygen (oxidizing) as shown below. A neutral flame is named neutral since in most cases will have no
chemical effect on the metal being welded. A carburizing flame will produce iron carbide, causing a
chemical change in steel and iron. For this reason a carburizing flame is not used on metals that
absorb carbon. An oxidizing flame is hotter than a neutral flame and is often used on copper and
zinc.