• Media type: E-Article; Text
  • Title: An X-ray Microscopy Study of the Microstructural Effects on Thermal Conductivity in Cast Aluminum-Copper Compounds
  • Contributor: Fromm, Andreas Christopher [Author]; Kahra, Christoph [Author]; Selmanovic, Armin [Author]; Maier, Hans Jürgen [Author]; Klose, Christian [Author]
  • imprint: Basel : MDPI, 2023
  • Published in: Metals : open access journal 13 (2023), Nr. 4 ; Metals : open access journal
  • Issue: published Version
  • Language: English
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.15488/13617; https://doi.org/10.3390/met13040671
  • Keywords: silane ; porosity ; compound casting ; thermal conductivity ; volumetric characterization ; microstructure ; X-ray microscopy ; Kirkendall effect ; aluminum-copper compounds
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  • Description: A metallurgical joint between aluminum and copper established by compound casting provides for high thermal conductivity, which is required for lightweight cooling solutions in applications such as high-power light-emitting diodes or computer processors. If casting is employed in a silane-doped inert gas atmosphere whose oxygen partial pressure is adequate to extreme high vacuum, reoxidation of the active surfaces of aluminum and copper is prevented, and thus a metallurgical bond can be created directly between aluminum and copper. With this approach, thermal conductivities as high as 88.3 W/m·K were realized. In addition, X-ray microscopy was used to shed light on the microstructure–thermal property relationship. It is demonstrated that both porosity and non-bonded areas have a substantial impact on the thermophysical properties of the compound zone. Based on the data obtained, casting parameters can be developed that provide for defect-free bonding zones and optimal heat transfer between the joining partners.
  • Access State: Open Access
  • Rights information: Attribution (CC BY)