SOLAR SINTERING OF COPPER-BASED MATERIALS FOR ELECTRIC CONTACTS

This paper analyzes the possibility that solar sintering, first, could be used as a feasible method for obtaining electrical contacts based on copper; an analysis based on mechanical properties and structural modifications; and second, could be better than conventional methods like microwave and plasma sintering in terms of thermal stability, beside the advantages of solar energy: the resources used are clean and inhexhaustible.

Copper is used as contact material or layer in almost all electrical contact applications as it has the following advantages: good electrical and thermal conductibility and corrosion resistance. But it is also characterized by a low strength and wear resistance.

By solar sintering of copper alloys it is possible to improve their properties without decreasing the electrical conductivity of the cooper material. The use of solar energy allows the copper material to be sintered at much higher heating and cooling rates, plus it is more thermally stable.

The work presented in this paper is based on the experiments performed at the PROMES-CNRS facility for the Sfera II project: SOLSIN, and at the R&D Institute of the Transilvania Univeristy of Brasov.