Patent ID: 8383987
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A contact tip for a welding torch, the contact tip comprising: a body having a front discharge end, an opposite rear feed end, and a bore extending through said body; and a cap mounted on said body at said front end, said cap having an aperture generally aligned with said bore; said cap being composed of a material having an electrical conductivity between 1.74×10 said body being composed of a material selected from the group consisting of copper and a copper alloy, said body having an electrical conductivity that is higher than the electrical conductivity of said cap; wherein a portion of said bore at the front end of said body and at least a portion of said aperture in said cap define a contact area for a consumable electrode wire, said cap is integrated into said body, said cap is a gradient composite material, and the electrical conductivity of said cap decreases from the front end of said body to a front end of said cap.