Copper Contact Pad
With the support of its strong European partners West Metal Company is capable of manufacturing and supplying copper contact pads (cushions) for the electrode arms of Ladle Furnaces (LF), Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF), and Submerged Arc Furnaces (SAF). These pads are available in both cast and forged versions. Their dimensions, geometric configuration, and manufacturing specifications are tailored to the specific type of electric arc furnace and the unique requirements of each client, varying accordingly from one furnace to another. West Metal ensures that, from the initial order placement through to final delivery, comprehensive technical inspections and quality control—strictly adhering to the standards applicable to this specific product category—are carried out, ultimately guaranteeing the delivery of a component with high quality and reliable durability.
Copper contact pads are manufactured using electrical-grade copper with a purity of 99.9%. The final components are produced via either forging or casting; the differences between these two methods are as follows:
- Forged copper features a more homogeneous, fine-grained structure. It offers high yield strength and fatigue resistance, fewer structural defects (such as porosity or cracks), and superior toughness. However, it entails higher production costs and is typically used for components with relatively simple geometries.
- Cast copper, by contrast, has a coarser grain structure and is more susceptible to internal porosity and cracking—often resulting from uneven solidification—along with lower fatigue resistance and strength. Nevertheless, it offers lower production costs and is employed for large, complex components that would be difficult or impossible to forge.
| FORGED | CASTING | SPECIFICATION |
| 250-350 MPa | 150-220 MPa | FLEXURAL STRENGTH (MPa) |
| 200-280 MPa | 50-90 MPa | TENSILE STRENGTH(MPa) |
| 80-120 HB | 40-80 HB | HARDNESS (HB – Brinel) |
| 30-50% | 10-25% | Flexibility (% of Length Growth) |
| High | Medium-Low | Ductility (Resistance to Impact) |
| More | Less | FTIGUE RESISTANCE |
| High | Medium | ABRASIVE RESISTANCE |
| 98-101% | 85-95% | ELECTRIC CONDUCTANCE (% IACS) |
| 390-400 | 350-390 | THERMAL CONDUCTANCE (W/m·K) |
| 0.016-0.018 | 0.018-0.022 | ELECTRIC RESISTANCE (nΩ·m) |