Process for underwater plasma cutting of workpieces

In a process for the underwater plasma cutting of workpieces such as structural steel, the improvement being carrying out the cutting process with a plasma burner having a needle electrode and transmitted plasma arc at small distances under the water level, and enveloping the plasma cutting arc during the ignition cutting by a compressed-air sheath solely outside of the nozzle which strongly contracts the plasma cutting arc, flowing the compressed-air sheath at a velocity in the range of 3,000 to 15,000 m/minute, utilizing a current density in the range of 50 to 80 A/mm.sup.2, and directing the compressed-air sheath to the area of the cut by flowing the compressed air from slots in the nozzle located close to the discharge opening of the nozzle.