Requirements & Preparation
Requirements to undertake exothermic welding
- Safety equipment (minimum safety glasses and protective gloves)
- Handle clamp
- Mould*
- Weld metal powder*
- Metal disc
- Flint gun
- Conductors requiring connection
As this list indicates Sudaweld does not require substantial amounts of equipment, heavy plant or even a local power supply. The properties of Sudaweld make it ideal for remote sites, such as desert areas, or isolated structures.
*all moulds and powders need to be sized appropriately to each tasks specific requirements. For more information or to discuss your requirements please contact a member of our team.
Safety
As Sudaweld does not require heavy or large scale machinery, plant or electricity it avoids the hazards associated with so many aspects of construction. However, prior to undertaking an exothermic connection it is important to have a minimum personal protective equipment of safety glasses and gloves; whilst exothermic connections are safe due to the thermal increase and possibility of flashing any users must take appropriate precautions. As in all areas of construction, always refer to the risk assessment and formal installation method statement prior to beginning Sudaweld exothermic connections.
Preparation
- Ensure risk assessments have been completed and any site passes or permissions obtained. Refer to any provided information about the process and its components.
- One of the properties of graphite is that it absorbs moisture from the surrounding atmosphere. It is essential that the graphite mould is entirely dry prior to use to avoid malformed exothermic connections. A simple method of drying the graphite mould is to use a small blowtorch (the small variety often used in domestic applications) to heat it thoroughly to evaporate any moisture contained within; please ensure that a complete risk assessment has been carried out upon your chosen method of drying the mould prior to commencement.
- It is also important to ensure that the conductors selected for exothermic connection are clean where they will be contained within the mould.
- If the mould has been used on a previous Sudaweld, ensure that it has been cleaned with a natural fibre brush (synthetic bristled brushes will melt if used on a hot graphite mould, and wire or more abrasive brushes will damage the mould and reduce its useable period).
- Ensure that the mould and powder are appropriate for the connection you wish to make, this should be identifiable from the information plate located on the mould and the number of the powder selected.