Study of the electroplating process parameters on the electrical resistance of an aluminium alloy with a Cu-graphene-based coating

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of the electroplating process parameters, such as temperature, graphene concentration in the bath and current density, on the electrical properties of a copper-coated aluminium alloy (AA6082). Based on previous experiences, a full factorial plan was developed and tested through the Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology to find a relation between parameters and properties. After validating the setup and the significance of the three input process parameters, a statistical model for copper electrodeposition is presented; the latter takes into account the physical interaction of the graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). From the results, the GNP amount is able to modify the electrical resistance of the copper coating; in detail, the resistance passes from 0.0319 to 0.02 mΩ, allowing a reduction of about 35% at the highest GNP content. Furthermore, an optimization following the new experimental model to decrease the electrical resistance of the graphene-based coating is presented.

Laser Texturing to Increase the Wear Resistance of an Electrophoretic Graphene Coating on Copper Substrates

“…Copper-based nanocomposites produced through these methods have shown a growing trend in copper surface protection due to their improved mechanical properties, leaving the physical performance of both the substrate and the matrix unaffected, thus enhancing the wear resistance through improved lubricating capability [15][16][17]. In fact, Cu composite coatings with reinforcing phases (such as ceramic or carbonaceous) benefit from both metals and fillers and demonstrate outstanding wear resistance and improved electrical and thermal conductivity and self-lubricating properties, which has led to themattracting increasing interest in industrial fields [18][19][20][21][22].…”