Laser cladding of copper with molybdenum for wear resistance enhancement in electrical contacts

K. W. Ng, Hau Chung Man, F. T. Cheng, Tai Man Yue

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

108 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Laser cladding of Mo on Cu has been attempted with the aim of enhancing the wear resistance and hence increasing the service life of electrical contacts made of Cu. In order to overcome the difficulties arising from the large difference in thermal properties and the low mutual solubility between Cu and Mo, Ni was introduced as an intermediate layer between Mo and Cu. The Ni and Mo layers were laser clad one after the other to form a sandwich layer of Mo/Ni/Cu. Excellent bonding between the clad layer and the Cu substrate was ensured by strong metallurgical bonding. The hardness of the surface of the clad layer is seven times higher than that of the Cu substrate. Pin-on-disc wear tests consistently showed that the abrasive wear resistance of the clad layer was also improved by a factor of seven as compared with untreated Cu substrate. The specific electrical contact resistance of the clad surface was about 5.6 × 10-7Ω cm2.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6236-6241
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Surface Science
Volume253
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2007

Keywords

  • Cu electrical contact
  • Electrical contact resistance
  • Laser cladding
  • Molybdenum
  • Wear

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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