Ceramic Welding Rolls for Electric Resistance Welding

International Syalons manufacture a range of silicon nitride and sialon advanced ceramic welding rolls for use in electric resistance welding (EWS). EWS is used to fabricate steel pipes and tubes, for example, by creating a forged weld.

In the EWS process, the welding rolls (sometimes also known as squeeze rolls) apply the pressure to the tube while the metal is being heated, often by high-frequency induction heating, and this combination gives a forged weld.

This process puts a number of demands on the welding roll material. It requires high strength, thermal shock resistance, wear resistance and high electrical resistance. Also, the pipe temperature can approach the melting point of the metal and so high temperature stability is required.

Sialons are silicon nitride based advanced ceramics characterised by excellent mechanical properties along with chemical and thermal stability, making them ideal for this application. Syalon 101 meets all the above mentioned requirements resulting in a number of key advantages over conventional metal weld rolls, such as improved pipe quality, reduced roll maintenance, reduced welding failures and reduced cooling requirement as the sialon rolls can operate at high temperatures.

For more information on metal forming applications of silicon nitride and sialon fine ceramics please contact us for an initial consultation. Alternatively download our Metal Forming Applications PDF.