Thermal Lance

A thermal lance, thermic lance, oxygen lance, or burning bar is a tool that burns iron in the presence of pressurized oxygen to create very high temperatures for cutting. It consists of a long iron tube packed with iron rods, sometimes mixed with aluminium or magnesium rods to increase the heat output. One end of the tube is placed in a holder and oxygen is fed through the tube.

The far end of the tube is pre-heated and lit by an oxyacetylene torch. An intense stream of burning iron is produced at the lit end and can be used to cut rapidly through thick materials including steel and concrete. The tube is consumed, so every few minutes the operator shuts off the oxygen, discards the remaining stub of a lance tube and starts using a new one.

Although often used as a heavy duty demolition tool, the thermic lance can also be used to remove seized axles of heavy machinery without damaging the bearings or axle hole. This technique is most often used on the pins and axles of large equipment such as cranes, ships, bridges and sluice-gates.

The temperature at which a thermal lance burns varies depending on the environment. Kosanke gives the maximum temperature to be 4,770 K (8,130 °F), while Haorong calculates it to be 3,000 K (4,940 °F).