Influence of flux agent composition in A-TIG welding Of Cu-ETP sheets

Bušić, Matija (author), Šolić, Sanja (author), Tropša, Vlado (author), Klobčar, Damjan (author)

Due to its high coefficient of thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity, TIG welding of copper and copper alloys is considered difficult and demanding. Activated TIG welding (A-TIG) has been widely researched as a welding method for obtaining deeper penetration on various metals. However, A-TIG welding of copper remains unexplored without known influence of flux substances, applied parameters and achieved mechanical properties in produced welds. Three substances were examined as single component fluxes in this work: Calcium oxide (CaO), Silicon dioxide (▫$SiO_2$▫) and Sodium carbonate (▫$Na_2CO_3$▫). Produced welds were characterized by visual inspection and macrostructural analysis, also bend testing and tensile strength testing were performed. Microstructure of the weld with optimal mechanical properties was analyzed by means of Field Emission Gun-Scanning Electron Microscope (FEG-SEM) and also the chemical characterization of the weld was made by means of Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the most effective flux used was Silicon dioxide. A-TIG welding with ▫$SiO_2$▫ flux enabled good results in visual inspection, macrostructure analysis, band test and tensile strength test. However, oxide inclusions have been found in weld metal in significant percentage which could indicate the possible degradation of electrical conductivity of the Cu-ETP sheets.

• Language: English
• Keywords: A-TIG welding, Cu-ETP, activating flux, silicon dioxide
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FS - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2024
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 8-16
• Numbering: Vol. 10
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-167496
• UDC: 621.791
• ISSN on article: 2562-4571
• DOI: 10.11159/ijmmme.2024.002
• COBISS.SI-ID: 227220995
• Publication date in RUL: 25.02.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: International journal of mining, materials, and metallurgical engineering
• Publisher: Avestia Publishing
• ISSN: 2562-4571
• COBISS.SI-ID: 227213827

Licences

• License: CC BY 3.0, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
• Description: You are free to reproduce and redistribute the material in any medium or format. You are free to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: varjenje A-TIG, Cu-ETP, aktivni delci, silicijev dioksid