Copper

The use of copper in electrodes is common in various welding and metalworking processes. Copper is a popular choice for electrodes due to its excellent conductive, thermal, and corrosion-resistant properties.

In arc welding processes, such as Tungsten inert gas welding (TIG) or shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), copper electrodes are used to transfer current and generate the electric arc needed to melt the metals to be joined. Copper is an efficient conductor, which enables reliable transmission of electrical current during the welding process.

In plasma cutting, copper electrodes are used to generate the high temperature electric arc that vaporises and cuts through the metal. Copper is chosen for its ability to handle high temperatures without warping or deteriorating rapidly.

In addition, copper is often used in EDM (electrical discharge machining) machine electrodes for precision metal machining. The high electrical conductivity of copper allows for precise control of material erosion during the machining process.