Select your material type and plasma cutter amperage to see maximum clean-cut thickness, sever thickness, recommended cut speed, and gas requirements.
Select your material and amperage, then click Look Up Thickness to see what your plasma cutter can handle.
Plasma cutter manufacturers rate cutting capacity with two numbers: clean cut and sever cut. The clean-cut rating is the maximum thickness where you get a smooth, production-quality edge that needs little or no post-processing. Parts cut within this range come off the table ready for welding or finishing with only minor deburring. This is the number that matters for CNC work where edge quality and dimensional accuracy are important.
The sever-cut rating is the absolute maximum thickness the torch can cut through, but the edge will be rough, tapered, and covered in dross. Sever cuts require significant grinding and cleanup before the part is usable. Think of sever capacity as emergency capability — you can cut it, but you probably don't want to do it all day. For CNC plasma tables, plan your material choices around the clean-cut rating and treat sever capacity as occasional headroom.
Gas type plays a major role in cut quality. Compressed air is the most affordable option and works well for mild steel, but specialty gases dramatically improve results on certain materials. Oxygen (O2) produces the cleanest edges on mild steel by creating an exothermic reaction that adds cutting energy. Nitrogen (N2) is the go-to for stainless steel and aluminum because it prevents oxidation and discoloration. H35 (a 65% argon / 35% hydrogen mix) delivers premium edge quality on stainless steel but costs more to run. Matching the right gas to your material is one of the easiest ways to improve cut quality without upgrading your plasma cutter.
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