Performance of Cu–TiC alloy electrodes developed by reaction milling for electrical-resistance welding

The performance of a nominal-composition Cu–5 vol.% TiC alloy, prepared via powder metallurgy, was evaluated when such material was used as electrodes for electrical-resistance welding. Starting from Cu, Ti and graphite powders, flakes of the alloy were synthesized by reaction milling in a high-energy mill; alloy bars 6 mm diameter were then produced by hot extruding such flakes. Electrodes performance was evaluated by means of the following indexes: tip shortening, tip widening, and mass loss. Electrolytic copper electrodes were used as reference. The results obtained clearly demonstrate that the Cu–TiC electrodes prepared from powders synthesized by reaction milling have a remarkably better performance than those manufactured from electrolytic copper.