The Influence of Manufacturing Technology on the Properties of Chromium-Bronze Electrodes for Contact Relief Welding of Reinforcing Rods

The article discusses an effective, in comparison with common, technology of manufacturing chromium bronze electrodes for resistance projection welding of reinforcing bars. Within the framework of this technology, a method for preparing a melt with alloying with a multicomponent element, including basic elements, a matrix of copper powder and a filler of nanostructured chromium particles, is considered. The technology is based on a combined molding-plastic deformation process and makes it possible to obtain a finished resistance welding electrode of type D in one operation. The results of microstructural, X‑ray micro-spectral and local energy dispersive (micro) analysis of electrode samples obtained by different technologies, explaining the main nature of the loss of electrode performance, are presented. The results of fractographic studies of the contact surface of the electrodes are considered. Electrical conductivity and mechanical properties were studied for all electrode samples. The results of tests on a resistance welding machine with an assessment of the wear of the electrodes and the reasons for their failure are presented