propane is a three-carbon alkane, normally a gas, but compressible to a liquid that is transportable. It is derived from other petroleum products during oil.

Propane produces a lower flame temperature than acetylene (the maximum flame temperature in oxygen is compared with 3,160 degrees for acetylene). Consequently, piercing is much slower but as the burning and slag formation are effected by the oxygen jet, cutting speeds are about the same as for acetylene.