# US 2014/0197147 A1 · Nanocomposite welding wires > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197147 A1 - Document ID: US20140197147A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/739,425 - Filed: 2013-01-11 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-11 - Assignees: Eck Industries, Inc.; Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Applicants: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation; Eck Industries, Inc. - Inventors: Xiaochun Li; Hongseok Choi; David Wiess - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197147A1 ## CPC - B23K 35/00: Rods, electrodes, materials, or media, for use in soldering, welding, or cutting - B23K 35/0244: {Powders, particles or spheres; Preforms made therefrom} - B23K 35/0261: {Rods, electrodes or wires} - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract Welding wires and methods for welding metal work pieces using the welding wires are provided. The welding wires are composite materials comprising a metal alloy and high temperature nanoparticles dispersed in the metal alloy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of welding metal work pieces comprising metal alloys, the method comprising: melting at least a portion of the metal alloy of the work pieces in the proximity of an interface between the work pieces; melting at least a portion of a welding wire in the proximity of the interface, the welding wire comprising a metal alloy and a plurality of high temperature ceramic or high temperature intermetallic nanoparticles dispersed in the metal alloy, whereby a molten weld pool comprising molten metal alloy from the work pieces and molten metal alloy from the welding wire is formed; and allowing the molten weld pool to solidify, thereby forming a welded joint at the interface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal alloy of the work pieces and the metal alloy of the welding wire are the same metal alloy. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal alloy of the work pieces is an aluminum alloy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the metal alloy of the work pieces is an Al—Cu alloy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the metal alloy of the welding wire is the same Al—Cu alloy. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the metal alloy of the welding wire is an aluminum alloy having a different alloy composition from the aluminum alloy of the work pieces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle concentration in the welding wire is in the range from about 0.05 weight percent to about 5 weight percent, based on the total combined weight of the metal alloy and the nanoparticles in the welding wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle concentration in the welding wire is in the range from about 0.1 weight percent to about 2 weight percent, based on the total combined weight of the metal alloy and the nanoparticles in the welding wire. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles are ceramic nanoparticles. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the nanoparticles comprise Al2O3 nanoparticles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the metal alloy of the work pieces is an aluminum alloy, the metal alloy of the welding wire is an aluminum alloy, the nanoparticles are ceramic nanoparticles and the concentration of nanoparticles in welding wire is in the range from about 0.05 to about 2 weight percent, based on the total combined weight of the metal alloy and the nanoparticles in the welding wire. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the metal alloy of the work pieces and the metal alloy of the welding wire are both A206 alloys. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the welding wire consists essentially of the metal alloy and the plurality of high temperature ceramic or high temperature intermetallic nanoparticles dispersed in the metal alloy. ### Claim 14 A welding wire comprising a composite material comprising a metal alloy and a plurality of high temperature ceramic or high temperature intermetallic nanoparticles dispersed in the metal alloy, wherein the composite material is in an elongated form characterized by a length and a diameter, both of which are sized to render the elongated form suitable for use as a welding wire. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The welding wire of claim 14, wherein the elongated form has a nominal diameter in the range from 0.025 inches to 0.5 inches and a length of at least 10 feet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The welding wire of claim 14, wherein the elongated form has a nominal diameter in the range from 0.125 inches to 0.375 inches and a length of at least 20 feet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The welding wire of claim 14, wherein the elongated form is tapered at one end, has a nominal diameter in the range from 0.065 inches to about 0.313 inches and a length in the range from about 10 inches to about 2 feet. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The welding wire of claim 14, wherein the metal alloy is an aluminum alloy, the nanoparticles are ceramic nanoparticles and the concentration of nanoparticles in composite material is in the range from about 0.05 to about 2 weight percent, based on the total combined weight of the metal alloy and the nanoparticles. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The welding wire of claim 18, wherein the alloy is an A206 alloy and the ceramic nanoparticles comprise Al2O3 nanoparticles. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The welding wire of claim 16, wherein the metal alloy is an aluminum alloy, the nanoparticles are ceramic nanoparticles and the concentration of nanoparticles in the composite material is in the range from about 0.05 to about 2 weight percent, based on the total combined weight of the metal alloy and the nanoparticles.