Reinforced concrete – one of the most durable materials in construction – has long been a major challenge when demolition is required. Plasma cutters simply cannot handle this material, while mechanical drilling is time-consuming and labor-intensive. So, could Thermic Lance be the key to solving this problem? To understand more clearly, please read the detailed blog post below.
The Challenge of Demolishing Reinforced Concrete
Traditionally, cutting reinforced concrete requires either manual tools or large-scale modern machinery, or often a combination of both approaches. Manual methods using jackhammers, concrete saws, and drilling equipment are labor-intensive and time-consuming, particularly when dealing with thick concrete sections. On the other hand, heavy machinery such as hydraulic breakers, concrete crushers, and diamond wire saws, while powerful, require significant space for operation and substantial logistical support.
The real challenge emerges in situations where neither approach is entirely feasible. When demolishing small reinforced concrete structures in confined construction sites where large mechanical equipment cannot operate, or in hazardous positions where conventional methods fall short, constructional workers face a significant dilemma. While plasma cutters are limited to cutting thin metals in accessible, wide areas, what happens when you need to penetrate deep, embedded positions with reinforced concrete targets?
This is where Thermic Lance may offer a potential solution for these challenging applications. With heat output reaching temperatures up to 3,600°C, Thermic Lance can effectively cut through small reinforced concrete components or provide valuable assistance in cutting large steel reinforcements within concrete blocks, complementing conventional concrete demolition equipment.
The key advantage lies in understanding that reinforced concrete consists of two components: steel reinforcement (metal) and concrete (non-metal) – and Thermic Lance can cut through both materials effectively.
Understanding Thermic Lance Technology
Basic Operating Principles
Thermic Lance operates on the principle of iron oxidation reactions that generate extremely high temperatures. Its construction consists of packed steel pipes containing steel wires, powered by high-pressure oxygen. This creates a continuous combustion process that delivers remarkable cutting performance.
Impressive Technical Specifications
- Temperature Capability: Reaching 3,000°C ~ 4,000°C with massive heat output, sufficient to melt large steel components or small concrete structures.
- Cutting Speed: Due to the enormous heat generation, cutting speeds exceed those of plasma cutting systems.
- Oxygen Pressure: Operating at 8-13 bar, oxygen both participates in the steel oxidation reaction and creates the pressure needed to blow away molten steel and slag.
Why Does Thermic Lance Generate Extremely High Temperatures (Up to 3,000-4,000°C)?
1. Multiple Contact Surfaces
The steel wires inside Thermic Lance are bundled into many small fibers → creating a large surface area → enabling rapid and intense chemical reactions between iron and oxygen.
2. Pure Oxygen Source
Oxygen is supplied at 8-13 bar pressure → maintaining strong and continuous flames, unlike oxygen in ambient air (only 21% concentration).
3. Exothermic Reaction + Melting Process
Iron melts and becomes fuel itself → simultaneously generating heat while creating an extremely high-temperature environment.
4. Heat Accumulation
The reaction zone is narrow, preventing rapid heat dissipation → resulting in extremely high temperatures concentrated at the cutting point.
Can Thermic Lance Demolish Reinforced Concrete?
How Thermic Lance Penetrates Reinforced Concrete Over 500mm Thick?
Thermic Lance can cut through concrete blocks thicker than 500mm (even several meters) thanks to its extreme high-temperature combustion mechanism and concentrated thermal energy:
1. Thermic Lance Operating Mechanism
Construction: A steel pipe partially packed with steel wires and an inner steel pipe or fully packed with steel wires, supplied with high-pressure oxygen.
Principle: When the pipe end is ignited, the powerful oxygen stream causes the steel wires to burn at temperatures reaching 3,000 ~ 4,000°C.
.png?width=350&height=350&name=Structure%20of%20Daiwa%20Thermic%20Lance%20(Type%20T).png)
.png?width=350&height=350&name=Structure%20of%20Daiwa%20Thermic%20Lance%20(Type%20W).png)
Impact Effects:
- Concrete undergoes sudden heating → water and air within the concrete structure expand, causing micro-explosions that destroy the structural integrity
- Steel reinforcement within the concrete also melts or burns
- Concentrated heat creates channels and demolishes concrete much faster than drilling or mechanical breaking
2. Reinforced Concrete Composition
To deeply understand why Thermic Lance is effective against reinforced concrete, it's essential to understand what this composite material actually contains.
Concrete is a construction material formed from a mixture of cement, sand, stone (or gravel), water, and possible additives. When hardened, it forms a solid, durable mass.
Steel Reinforcement refers to the system of steel bars (round bars, steel mesh, etc.) placed inside the concrete mass to increase tensile and bending strength capacity.
This dual-component nature of reinforced concrete – combining the compressive strength of concrete with the tensile strength of steel – is precisely why conventional cutting methods often struggle, and why Thermic Lance's ability to handle both materials simultaneously makes it so effective.
For professional Thermic Lance solutions and expert consultation on your concrete demolition projects, contact Daiwa Lance today. Our proven technology and nearly three decades of experience ensure reliable, efficient results for your most challenging applications.
About Daiwa Lance
Established since 1997, Daiwa Lance has positioned ourselves as a pioneer in thermic cutting and oxygen lancing technology. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we have been providing quality customer service and products with advanced Japanese technology.
We maintain the highest quality standards with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and JIS G standards certifications. We have also expanded our reach globally, exporting to over 55 countries worldwide.
Visit us through our contact channels today: Email, WhatsApp, Contact Us form, or connect with us on Youtube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
