SMAW · Copper alloy
ECuSn-A
A phosphor bronze rod for joining and overlaying copper alloys, and for building up bearing and wear surfaces where a soft, low friction deposit is wanted.
What the designation means
Point at any character to see what it claims. The classification is a sentence written in fields, not a product name.
- ECovered electrode for shielded metal arc welding.
- CuA copper base deposit.
- SnTin as the principal alloying element, producing a phosphor bronze deposit.
- -AThe lower tin chemistry class within the phosphor bronze family, the companion class carrying a higher tin content and greater hardness.
At a glance
- Process
- SMAW
- Family
- Copper alloy
- Positions
- Flat position preferred, with horizontal fillets workable
- Polarity
- DCEP
- Shielding
- Self-shielded by the covering
- Minimum tensile
- 35ksi
Typical uses
- Joining and repairing bronze and brass castings
- Overlaying bearing surfaces, bushings, and wear plates
- Joining copper alloys to steel or cast iron where a bronze interlayer helps
How it runs
- Fluid puddle that runs easily downhill, so position control matters
- Preheat is usually needed on heavy sections to avoid lack of fusion
- Soft, low friction deposit that machines easily
- Bead is copper coloured with a light slag that lifts readily
Storage and handling
Store sealed and dry; a damp covering causes porosity that is especially obvious in a bronze deposit.
Compare with
SMAWENi-CIA high nickel rod for repairing grey cast iron, laying down a soft deposit that can be machined afterwards and tolerates the carbon picked up from the base metal.SMAWENiFe-CIThe nickel-iron cast iron rod, stronger and more crack resistant than the pure nickel version and the usual choice for ductile iron and heavily restrained repairs.SMAWEFeMn-AA work hardening manganese steel surfacing rod that stays soft and tough as deposited, then hardens dramatically at the surface once impact loading starts.