FurseWELD Exothermic Welding
Sub-categories in this section
The FurseWELD process
Furseweld exothermic welding is a cost efficient method of making large or small numbers of high quality electrical connections. It is a simple, self-contained system that uses the high temperature reaction of powdered copper oxide and aluminium, within a mould, to form permanent electrical connections.
Typical applications include:
- Earthing for power plants and sub-stations
- Telecommunications
- Transmission and power distribution lines
- Cathodic protection
- Rail connections
The FurseWELD system:
- requires no external power or heat source
- creates high quality electrical connections
- is completely portable
- can be used safely with minimum training
- is cost effective
- can be used for over 45 standard connection configurations.
The FurseWELD connection
FurseWELD connections have several advantages:
- tolerant to repeated fault currents
- highly conductive
- do not loosen
- excellent corrosion resistance.
Most FurseWELD connections have at least twice the cross-sectional area of the conductors being joined, and an equivalent or greater current carrying capacity. Corrosion resistance is exceptional because of the very high copper content (>90%) of the alloy.
How it works
Making a FurseWELD joint is a simple procedure as illustrated below:
1 Locate the conductors (A) to be joined in the weld cavity (B) and close the mould (C).
2 Locate the steel retaining disc in the base of the crucible (D). Pour in the weld powder (E) followed by the starting powder (F).
Ignite starting powder with a spark gun.
3 The resulting exothermic reaction reduces the weld powder to molten copper alloy which melts the retaining disc and flows into the weld cavity where it partially melts the conductors (G).
4 The molten copper alloy cools to leave a fusion weld of great mechanical and electrical integrity.
Moulds
The FurseWELD system of exothermic welding uses moulds to contain the exothermic reaction that creates safe and robust connections. Different types of moulds are available, whose use depends on the requirements of the project.
Graphite Moulds
Market leading FurseWELD graphite moulds are extremely robust and capable of producing over 75 connections each.
Mini-Moulds
FurseWELD mini-moulds are a cost effective alternative to full-sized moulds, especially where lower numbers of connections are required. They are smaller overall, less robust and therefore lower priced. Care is required in order to achieve similar service lives to full-sized moulds.
SureSHOT
The FurseWELD SureSHOT system is a single-use ceramic mould supplied complete with retaining disc and powders. It has been designed for use in applications where only a few connections are required.
