Surface Modification of Aluminized Cu-10Fe Alloy by High Current Pulsed Electron Beam

Zhiming Zhou,Baofeng Chen,Minmin Cao,Linjiang Chai,Yaping Wang,Weijiu Huang,Bingwei Wei

doi:10.1590/1980-5373-mr-2016-0317

Abstract

A Cu-10Fe alloy with magnetron sputtered Al films was irradiated by high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) with various pulse numbers, next changes of its microstructure and corrosion property were investigated. Compared with the initial sample, microhardness and corrosion resistance of the aluminized Cu-10Fe alloys after the HCPEB treatment are remarkably improved with increasing pulse numbers. This improvement could be attributed to formation of Al2Cu intermetallic compounds, occurrence of liquid phase separation and grain refinement in the surface layer of the Cu-10Fe alloy during the process of rapid remelting and solidification induced by the HCPEB treatment.

Highlights

In recent years, high current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) has emerged as a new and promising surface modification technique for materials researchers
Due to the high accelerating voltage (25 keV) and high energy density of the HCPEB treatments employed in this work, the surface of Cu-10Fe alloys with Al films could be remelted rapidly and produce splashing phenomenon
Results show that typical craters could be induced by HCPEB treatments in Cu-10Fe alloy

Summary

Introduction

High current pulsed electron beam (HCPEB) has emerged as a new and promising surface modification technique for materials researchers. Thanks to excellent electrical properties and reliable performance, Cu-Fe alloys account for approximately half of contact materials for vacuum interrupters[12]. Cu-Fe alloys utilize Cu as the matrix element with Fe and other trace elements added to form different grades of alloys. By and large, they belong to metastable immiscible alloys, with good application prospects in aviation, automobile and electronic industries. For the Cu-Fe contact materials, better strength, electrical conductivity, wear resistance and corrosion resistance properties should be of primary consideration[15]. There are already some attempts[16,17] on preparation techniques for producing stronger, more ductile and higher conductive

Results

Discussion

Conclusion