Preparation and arc erosion resistance of C_f/Cu composite by vacuum melting infiltration

Abstract

C_f/Cu composite was prepared by vacuum melting infiltration. Ti and Cr were doped to the Cu alloy to improve the wettability between Cu and carbon. The microstructure was investigated by XRD, SEM and EDS. The arc erosion rate of Cf/Cu composite was investigated in vacuum. The results showed that the Ti and Cr could improve the wettability between Cu and C/C preform and the infiltration ability of Cu into C/C preform greatly. A TiC interface formed between the fibers and matrix. The good bonding between the fiber and matrix guaranteed that part of the Cu matrix can still be bonded on the fibers even when the material was exposed to the plasma. Consequently, the carbon fibers were protected from the erosion. In comparison, Cu was completely consumed by the arc erosion. Hence, the graphite was eroded and presented a cauliflower-like morphology. Therefore, the prepared C_f/Cu had better ability to resist the arc erosion, compared with common Cu-C material.

Keywords

C_f/Cu composite / vacuum melting infiltration / arc erosion

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