Plasma cutting (plasma arc cutting) is a process that cuts through electrically conductive materials by means of an accelerated jet of hot plasma. It is essentially a melting process in which a jet of ionised gas at temperatures above 20,000°C is used to melt and expel material from the cut. During the process, an electric arc is struck between an electrode (cathode) and the workpiece (anode). Typical materials cut with a plasma torch include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass and copper, although other conductive metals may be cut as well.