Structure Property Correlation of Cu-Al-V2O5 Composite Coating Prepared by Electro-Codeposition from Al-V2O5 Dispersed Bath

Abstract

Copper has high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity as well as unique chemical properties but it shows poor mechanical properties such as hardness and wear resistance. For the applications like in electrical windings and electrical switching copper proved to be inefficient in terms of strength. To improve mechanical properties such as hardness and wear of copper without much deteriorating its electrical conductivity surface engineering techniques are preferred over bulk modification techniques.
In present work Electro-codeposition of copper as a matrix along with second phase reinforcement of Al (size ~ 20nm) and V2O5 (size ~ 350nm) particles were deposited as a composite coating on copper substrate. Different coatings were formed with 0g/l, 5g/l and 10g/l concentration of Al and V2O5 particles in the bath by maintaining 8 A/dm2 current density. Prior to deposition, as received Al powder was ball milled get finer size.
The powders were characterized by particle size analyse and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The coatings were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray diffraction study, microhardness testing, wear testing, electrical conductivity testing and surface profile study.
Result shows that reinforced coatings have better hardness and wear resistance values compared to unreinforced Cu sample. The downgrading of conductivity values due to composite coatings was acceptable and within working range. Various coated samples at different concentrations shows different trend in enhancement of each property, so by varying the amount of Al and V2O5 suspendedparticle in the bath required property can be easily controlled or enhanced.