Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite material. The method can include compacting a copper alloy powder into a plurality of substantially uniform compressed sub-assemblies such that the copper alloy powder has a density that is greater than 50%. The plurality of compressed sub-assemblies can be layered relative one another within an aperture of a shell, the plurality of compressed sub-assemblies to form a consecutive assembly of compacted copper alloy. The shell may include one of the following: a precipitation hardened copper alloy, copper alloy, and carbon steel. The consecutive assembly can be sealed within the shell to form a billet. The billet can be hot-extruded to form a rod, and the extruded rod can be further drawn to form a composite wire of a desired diameter. The composite wire may be used to create a composite welding electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a welding electrode and methods of manufacturing the same. The welding electrode can include a composite body having a tip portion and an end portion. The composite body can include a shell defining a cavity through the end portion, the shell comprising a first metal that includes one or more of the following: a precipitation hardened copper alloy, copper alloy, and carbon steel. The composite body can also include a core within the shell, the core extending through the shell from the tip portion to the cavity, the core comprising a second metal that includes dispersion strengthened copper. The core and the shell have a metallurgical bond formed from co-extrusion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a composite material. The method can include compacting a copper alloy powder into a plurality of substantially uniform compressed sub-assemblies such that the copper alloy powder has a density that is greater than 50%. The plurality of compressed sub-assemblies can be layered relative one another within an aperture of a shell, the plurality of compressed sub-assemblies to form a consecutive assembly of compacted copper alloy. The shell may include one of the following: a precipitation hardened copper alloy, copper alloy, and carbon steel. The consecutive assembly can be sealed within the shell to form a billet. The billet can be hot-extruded to form a rod, and the extruded rod can be further drawn to form a composite wire of a desired diameter. The composite wire may be used to create a composite welding electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a welding electrode and methods of manufacturing the same. The welding electrode can include a composite body having a tip portion and an end portion. The composite body can include a shell defining a cavity through the end portion, the shell comprising a first metal that includes one or more of the following: a precipitation hardened copper alloy, copper alloy, and carbon steel. The composite body can also include a core within the shell, the core extending through the shell from the tip portion to the cavity, the core comprising a second metal that includes dispersion strengthened copper. The core and the shell have a metallurgical bond formed from co-extrusion.

Abstract: A process is provided for forming a resistance welding electrode. The process includes the step of providing a billet formed from a high conductivity metal. The billet includes a first portion having a first inner cavity formed therein. The process further includes the steps of inserting a dispersion strengthened copper insert into the first inner cavity of the billet thereby forming an insert-containing billet, and deforming the insert-containing billet so as to mechanically lock the insert in place in the billet. The deformed insert-containing billet comprises the resistance welding electrode.