Cadweld Connections to Steel Connections

CADWELD connections are made with a semi-permanent graphite mold, which holds the conductors to be welded. Weld metal (a mixture of copper oxide and aluminum) is dumped into the top of the mold. The mold is covered and the weld metal ignited. The exothermic reaction produces molten copper, which produces a permanent, high conductivity connection.

CADWELD weld metal is a mixture of copper oxide and aluminum, packaged by size in plastic tubes. Each tube contains the starting powder at the bottom of the plastic tube, with the weld metal on top. These containers are packaged, with metal disks, in polyethylene boxes. The welding metal cannot ignite spontaneously. They can be handled and stored without danger and can be shipped with no special packaging or marking.

Two types of CADWELD weld metal are used for cathodic protection connections: