Description

Graphite furnace technology introduced for oxygen-free copper rod production in the mid-nineties has now been adapted to production of a series of dilute copper conductor alloys where tight control of volatile alloying elements is of critical importance in achieving a consistent balance between electrical conductivity and physical strength in the finished product. The Rautomead oxygen-free process is described together with its adaptations and the challenges of manufacturing consistent quality dilute copper conductor alloys.