Exothermic Welding is also called''thermit ''welding or"aluminothermic"welding. Exothermic is a chemical term used to describe a reaction that produces heat. For exothermic welding, it is the reaction of one metallic oxide such as copper oxide by another reductant metal, usually aluminum ¡§C yielding molten super-heated copper and aluminum oxide slag. The process of exothermic welding is a method of making electrical connections of copper to copper or copper to steel in which no outside source of heat or power is required. An exothermic connection is actually a molecular bond formed between 2 metals such as copper and steel. Copper oxide and aluminum are combined and ignited. The result is an exothermic reaction that products molten copper and aluminum oxide slag. Throughout the world, exothermic welding has been shown to be the best choice where safety, reliability, current carrying capacity and longevity are critical.
Advantages of Exothermic Welding:
1. Current carrying capacity of the connection equals that of the conductor.
2. Connections will not deteriorate with age since they are welded.
3. Connections are permanent molecular bonds that cannot loosen.
4. Connections are unaffected by corrosive products to same degree as copper.
5. Connections can withstand repeated high current surges without deterioration.
6. Minimum training is required to make connections.
7. Material to make connections is light and portable.
8. External heat or power is not required to make a connection.
9. Connections can be visibly checked for quality.
10. Connections can be used to weld copper, copper alloys, copper clad steel and various steel alloys including stainless steel.
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