• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.185-192
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• 2020

In this study, materials characterization of pure copper and copper based carbon nano-tube composite prepared by powder metallurgy method were investigated. Prior to evaluate materials characterization, spark plasma sintering processing variables such as sintering temperature, pressure, thickness and diameter of compacts was optimized to ensure the microstructure and materials property of pure Cu and Cu-CNT composite. In addition, corrosion behavior of Cu-based CNT composite produced by powder sintering method was investigated. It was confirmed from this study that the corroded surfaces of the composite shows less dissolution compared with pure copper in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The measured corrosion current density (I_corr) indicates improved corrosion property of Cu based composite containing small additions of CNTs in chloride containing media. Micro-galvanic activity between Cu and CNT was not observed in given sintering condition.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers B
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.628-632
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• 2006

This paper deals with the electric and thermal characteristics of the composite busbar composed of aluminum and copper. When AC current is flowing in Cu busbar used widely in conservative equipments like power cable, transformer, and switchgear & controlgear most current is concentrated on the surface of the busbar by the skin effect. Therefore, if the Cu region in the busbar having low current density is replaced with aluminum, we can largely reduce the product cost and weight of the busbar. To conform the performance of the composite busbar, we designed and fabricated a test Al/Cu composite busbar. Maximun temperature rise of the busbar was $35^{\circ}C$ when 1600 Arms of AC current was applied to the test composite busbar($120mm{\times}10mm$). Based on test results, we can expect to make the low-priced and light power equipments using the Al/Cu composite busbar.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.389-395
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• 2009

A Si-CuO-graphite composite was prepared by a mechanical alloying (MA) method. The Si-CuO composite has a mixture structure, where CuO is homogeneously dispersed in Si. Also, $Cu_2O$ and $Cu_3Si$ phases were formed during MA and heat treatment. Graphite with the Si-CuO composite was mixed in the same mill for 30 minutes with weight ratio of Si-CuO composite and graphite as 1:1. The Si-CuO composite was homogeneously covered with graphite. SiC phase was not formed. Electrochemical tests of the composite have been investigated, and the first charge and discharge capacities of the material were about 870mAh/g and 660mAh/g, respectively. Those values are about 76% of the first cycle efficiency. The cycle life of the composite showed that the initial discharge capacity of 660 mAh/g could be maintained up to 92% after 20 cycles.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09b
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• pp.853-854
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• 2006

Warm compaction powder metallurgy was used to produce a $Ti_3SiC_2$ particulate reinforced Cu matrix composite. Fabrication parameters and warm compaction behaviors of Cu powder were studied. Based on the optimized fabrication parameters a Cu-based electrical contact material was prepared. Results showed that in expend of some electrical conductivity, addition of $Ti_3SiC_2$ particulate increased the hardness, wear resistivity and anti-friction ability of the sintered Cu-base material.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2014

This study manufactured a CIG-based composite coating layer utilizing a new warm spray process, and a mixed powder of Cu-20at.%Ga and Cu-20at.%In. In order to obtain the mixed powder with desired composition, the Cu-20at.%Ga and Cu-20at.%In powders were mixed with a 7:1 ratio. The mixed powder had an average particle size of $35.4{\mu}m$. Through the utilization of a warm spray process, a CIG-based composite coating layer of $180{\mu}m$ thickness could be manufactured on a pure Al matrix. To analyze the microstructure and phase, the warm sprayed coating layer underwent XRD, SEM/EDS and EMPA analyses. In addition, to improve the physical properties of the coating layer, an annealing heat treatment was conducted at temperatures of $200^{\circ}C$, $400^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour each. The microstructure analysis identified ${\alpha}$-Cu, $Cu_4In$ and $Cu_3Ga$ phases in the early mixed powder, while $Cu_4In$ disappeared, and additional $Cu_9In_4$ and $Cu_9Ga_4$ phases were identified in the warm sprayed coating layer. Porosity after annealing heat treatment reduced from 0.75% (warm sprayed coating layer) to 0.6% (after $600^{\circ}C/1hr$. heat treatment), and hardness reduced from 288 Hv to 190 Hv. No significant phase changes were found after annealing heat treatment.

• Korean Journal of Metals and Materials
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2008

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) have outstanding mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Thus, by placing nanotubes into appropriate matrix, it is postulated that the resulting composites will have enhanced properties. Cold spray can produce thick metal-based composite coatings with very high density, low oxygen content, and phase purity, which leads to excellent physical properties. In this study, we applied cold spray coating process for the consolidation of Cu/CNT composite powder. The precursor powder mixture, in which CNTs were filled into copper particles, was prepared to improve the distribution of the CNT in copper matrix. Pure copper coating was also conducted by cold spraying as a reference. Annealing heat treatment was applied to the coating to examine its effect on the properties of the composite coating. The hardness of Cu/CNT composite coating represented similar value to that of pure copper coating. It was importantly found that the electrical conductivity of the Cu/CNT composite coating significantly increased from 53% for the standard condition to almost 55% in the optimized condition, taking annealed ($500^{\circ}C/1hr$.) copper coating as a reference (100%). The thermal conductivity of Cu/CNT composite coating layer was higher than that of pure Cu coating. It was also found that the electrical and thermal conductivities of Cu/CNT composite could be improved through annealing heat treatment. The microstructural evolution of Cu/CNT coating was also investigated and related to the macroscopic properties.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09b
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• pp.1057-1058
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• 2006

The preparation of $Ti_{50}Cu_{28}Ni_{15}Sn_7$ metallic glass composite powders was accomplished by the mechanical alloying of a pure Ti, Cu, Ni, Sn and carbon nanotube (CNT) powder mixture after 8 h milling. In the ball-milled composites, the initial CNT particles were dissolved in the Ti-based alloy glassy matrix. The bulk metallic glass composite was successfully prepared by vacuum hot pressing the as-milled CNT/$Ti_{50}Cu_{28}Ni_{15}Sn_7$ metallic glass composite powders. A significant hardness increase with the CNT additions was observed for the consolidated composite compacts.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.54-54
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• 2003

We have developed a Cu-based bulk amorphous composite reinforced with a micron-sized crystalline phase, the (Cu60Zr30Ti10)95Ta5 amorphous matrix composite. The composite demonstrates the ultimate strength of 2332 MPa with a dramatically enhanced fracture strain of 15.3 %. Macroscopic observation of the fractured (Cu60Zr30Ti10)95Ta5 amorphous matrix composite showed the development of multiple shear bands along with numerous branching and deflection of shear bands. Microscopic observation on the amorphous matrix of the composite showed that cracks propagate through the residual amorphous matrix located between nanocrystallites, which had formed during deformation. Simulations based on finite element method were conducted to understand the formation mechanisms of multiple shear bands, the initiation site of shear bands, and interaction of shear bands with crystalline particles. Other microscopic fracture mechanism responsible for the enhanced plasticity was discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.203-206
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• 2004

Copper-based bulk amorphous alloy composite was synthesized by using the copper-coated $Cu_{54}Ni_{6}Zr_{22}Ti_{18}$ amorphous powder which was obtained by argon gas atomization. The amorphous powder having a super-cooled liquid region of 53 K was coated by crystalline copper by electroless coating. The consolidation was carried out by manufacturing performs and by the subsequent warm extrusion at 743 K. During the compression test at the room temperature, the composite containing a large fraction of crystalline copper displayed a larger plastic strain after yielding. FEM simulation revealed change in fracture modes in the composites depending on the amount of crystalline copper in the composites.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.301-306
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• 1999

Mechanical properties of oxide based materials could be improved by nanocomposite processing. To investigate optimum route for fabrication of nanocomposite enabling mass production, high energy ball milling and Pulse Electric Current Sintering (PECS) were adopted. By high energy ball milling, the $Al_2O_3$-based composite powder with dispersed Cu grains below 20 nm in diameter was successfully synthesized. The PECS method as a new process for powder densification has merits of improved sinterability and short sintering time at lower temperature than conventional sintering process. The relative densities of the $Al_2O_3$-5vol%Cu composites sintered at $1250^{\circ}C$ and $1300^{\circ}C$ with holding temperature of $900^{\circ}C$ were 95.4% and 95.7% respectively. Microstructures revealed that the composite consisted of the homogeneous and very fine grains of $Al_2O_3$ and Cu with diameters less than 40 nm and 20 nm respectively The composite exhibited enhanced toughness compared with monolithic $Al_2O_3$. The influence of the Cu content upon fracture toughness was discussed in terms of microstructural characteristics.