What is cold welding?

Did you know that this method of welding is used by astronauts in space?

From the name you can understand that this technological process does not use heat welding, as well as it does not participate chemical reaction?

Cold welding is used at normal or low (below zero) temperatures.

Under vacuum conditions, the same metals simply coalesce.

Using cold welding, you can connect various metal, plastic, glass, ceramic and even wooden parts.

Interesting facts about cold welding

1. It is worth noting that cold welding is the oldest type of welding. Even in ancient times, cold welding was used to join noble metals that are not oxidized.

2. You can find an ancient artifact created by cold welding in the Dublin National Museum. There is stored a golden box, which was created in the late Bronze Age. Its walls and bottom are connected by a tight seam.

3. Such welding is possible thanks to special devices that cause synchronized directional deformation in pre-cleaned surfaces, as well as increasing stress state, due to which a single and very strong connection is created.

4. Cold welding can be spot, suture and butt - it all depends on the scheme of plastic deformation.

5. Using cold welding, metals such as aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, silver, cadmium and iron can be combined

Welding process. Advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of cold welding

+ Low power consumption of the process.

+ High level of productivity - the process takes relatively little time.

+ For cold welding, you do not need to have a highly qualified welder-operator, since the process and equipment are quite simple.

+ The cold welding process can be automated.

+ Do not need a powerful source of electricity that would heat the workpieces for welding.+ During cold welding, the weld is not contaminated with impurities, which means it is more resistant to corrosion and stable to electrical resistance.

+ Preparation of parts for cold welding is quite simple.

+ No additional materials needed.

+ No gas and thermal emissions.

+ Such welding can be controlled remotely.

Cons of cold welding

- Not many metals and alloys can be joined by cold welding, namely, only those that have high ductility.

- High level of deformation of the welded parts.

“With such welding, only parts of certain shapes and sizes can be joined, but not all.”

- Equipment for such welding cannot be called universal.