Currently, there is a worldwide search for new forms of materials with properties that are significantly improved in comparison to materials currently in use. One promising research direction lies in the synthesis of metals containing modern carbon materials (e.g., graphene, nanotubes). In this article, the research results of metallurgical synthesis of a mixture of copper and two different kinds of carbon (activated carbon and multiwall carbon nanotubes) are shown. Samples of copper-carbon nanocomposite were synthesized by simultaneously exposing molten copper to an electrical current while vigorously stirring and adding carbon while under an inert gas atmosphere. The article contains research results of density, hardness, electrical conductivity, structure (TEM), and carbon decomposition (SIMS method) for the obtained materials.
The properties of copper in its solid state are strongly affected by the crystallization conditions of the liquid material. ETP grade copper (Electrolytic Tough Pitch Copper) contains oxygen, which causes Cu2O oxide to crystallize in the interdendritic spaces during solidification process which due to the shape of continuous casting mould and the feed of liquid copper during the crystallization process in strand casting might cause a high risk of macrosegregation of oxygen in the copper structure. In the current paper the implied interactions of the dendritic structure of the copper strand in terms of homogeneity at the cross-section of its electrical, mechanical and plastic properties determined based on the samples taken parallelly and perpendicularly to the surface of the dendritic boundaries were analysed. The obtained results were confronted with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the fractures formed during uniaxial tensile test. It has been observed that when the crystallites were arranged perpendicularly to the tensile direction the yield strength (YS) was lower and the fractures were brittle. On the other hand, when the crystallites were arranged parallelly to the tensile direction the fractures were plastic and elongated necking was observed along with the higher YS and total elongation values. The differences in values vary in terms of the applied direction of the tensile force. A characteristic positioning of the Cu2O oxide particles inside the fracture depending on the crystallite alignment and the direction of the applied tensile force has been observed.
The raw material for the production of Al-Mg-Si wires is wire rods, created in the Continuus Properzi line in temper T1 (cooled after forming at an elevated temperature and after natural aging). The general technologies for shaping the mechanical and electrical properties of Al-Mg-Si wire rods include two kinds: high- and low-temperature heat treatments. High-temperature heat treatment includes a homogenization process and a supersaturation process. Low-temperature heat treatment takes place after supersaturation and includes natural or artificial aging. This study shows how the amount of Mg and Si influences the mechanical and electrical properties of EN-AW 6101 wire rods after different kinds of heat treatments. As the general aim of this study was to determine the effect of the material’s temper on its mechanical and electrical properties, the research considered the initial parameters of the starting materials being examined. These parameters can be modified by selecting the chemical composition of the Al-Mg-Si alloy and the value of precipitation hardening obtained with artificial.
The effect of iron and silicon addition on the structure and properties of aluminium wire rod obtained in the laboratory horizontal direct chill casting process has been analysed. In addition, the impact of laboratory wire drawing process has been examined. The addition of iron and velocity of casting increase the strength of aluminium wire rod in as-cast condition while the electrical conductivity drop acceptable. Moreover, the laboratory wire drawing process causes work-hardening wires and increase drawing tension as a result of fragmentation of structure and growth of grain boundaries. It has been shown that iron is beneficial for mechanical and technological properties of aluminium.
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