The Suzhou Submission Form
1.  The Invention
	Title Welding unit with a free, independent arc for modifying the external layer of materials The problem the inventor(s) wanted to solve: The present invention involves a welding unit with a free, independent arc for modifying the external layer of materials with differentiated thermo-physical properties, in particular electro-insulating materials or characterized by very low electrical conductivity. Description: The essence of this invented system is that the torch of the welding unit has at least one pair of infusible electrodes, in which one electrode of each pair is connected to the negative pole of the welding power source and the other electrode is connected to the positive pole of this power source. In this way a free, independent electric arc is generated. According to an alternative solution, the welding unit has at least a pair of torches with at least one electrode in each torch, in which the electrode or electrodes of one torch of each pair is/are connected to the negative pole of the welding power source and the electrode or electrodes of the second torch of each pair is/are connected to the positive pole of the power source. Presentation. POSTER Fields of application: surface modification of electro-insulating materials (e.g. non-conducting plasma sprayed oxide coatings) by means of the TIG welding technology Advantages In both proposed above solutions the modified material is a “passive” consumer of heat that is released from the electric arc, in this way, the processing of the material does not depend on the electric properties of the respective material. The application of the aforementioned unit, e.g. for remelting of the plasma sprayed coatings (e.g. non-conducting oxide coatings) makes it possible to reduce the coating porosity, improves the inhomogeneity of the chemical and phase composition and the laminarity of the coating structure, in which as a result it thereby improves the operating properties of such coatings. Stage of development. prototype Documentation available:  (x) No   ( ) Yes If the answer is YES, give details such as: leaflet, brochure, sample, video, website, etc.
2.  The inventor (or inventors)
	Józef IWASZKO, Krzysztof KUDŁA Owner of the invention? (Is it the inventor?)   (x) No  ( ) Yes Czestochowa University Of Technology, POLAND
3.  Protection
	Patent Status:     - patent pending Priority (date of the very first patent application) Countries where it is in force, if granted
4.  Business intention
	Cooperation
5.  Contact
	Name Józef Iwaszko Address: Czestochowa University of Technology; Institute of Materials Engineering, Armii Krajowej street 19; 42-200 Czestochowa, POLAND Fax (+48/34 3250721 Tel +48/34 3250764 E-mail: iwaszko@mim.pcz.czest.pl