Anil V. Nadkarni

GlidCop® DSC properties in the temperature range of 20–350°C

Abstract GlidCop® AL-25 LOX-80 grade plates manufactured by processes relevant to ITER first wall copper alloy requirements were tested in the temperature range of 20–350°C. Plate manufacturing methods included hot isotatic pressing (HIP), extrusion (EXT), and extrusion followed by cross-rolling (EXT + XROLL). Tests that were performed included tensile, fracture toughness, impact toughness, and creep. The EXT + XROLL plate was found to have higher total elongation, reduction of area, and fracture toughness values than the EXT and HIP plates. All three processes had similar ultimate tensile and 0.2% yield strengths. The HIP material exhibited a lower creep rate than EXT + XROLL. The EXT and the EXT + XROLL plates had similar impact toughness values, which were higher than the HIP plate. Overall, the EXT + XROLL plate had the best combination of properties of the three processes examined.

Neutron-induced microstructural alteration of GlidCopTM alloys at ∼415°C and high neutron exposure

GlidCopTM internally oxidized copper alloys remain the leading candidates for high heat flux applications in fusion reactors. This paper presents the microstructural changes incurred in three GlidCopTM alloys exposed to long term, high temperature neutron irradiation. Irradiation at high temperature produced a microstructure containing a much lower dislocation density than the unirradiated specimens. Although 10–50 nm size triangular oxide particles were observed in areas with a very low number density of particles, spherical oxide particles on the order of 5–7 nm in diameter, though to be CuAl2O4, were the predominant morphology. The changes in grain size distribution, dislocation density, and precipitate type and distribution saturate in the range of 34 to 50 dpa, as reflected in the saturation of mechanical properties.

Improving performance from self-lubricating bronze bearings

In a world where downward pressure on price means much increased pressure on manufacturers, improved performance can be seen as a unique selling point…

GlidCop® DSC extruded plus cross-rolled plate tensile properties in the temperature range of 20–500°C

GlidCop® Dispersion Strengthened Copper (DSC with aluminum oxide dispersoids) is manufactured via a proprietary powder metallurgy process whereby Cu-Al alloy powder is internally oxidized to produce Cu-Al2O3 dispersed powder. The powder must be consolidated to full density for final use as high strength, high conductivity components for use at high temperatures. A previous study examined differences in GlidCop® AL-25 grade plate sections manufactured by processes including Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) consolidation, Extrusion (EXT) consolidation, and Extrusion consolidation followed by Cross-Rolling (EXT+XROLL). For plates annealed at 950–1000°C to simulate brazing assembly cycles, the EXT+XROLL plates were found to have superior ductility (total elongation and reduction of area) and fracture toughness (JIC) in the temperature range of 20–350°C compared to plates made by the other two processes. All three processes provided similar UTS, .2% YS, and creep characteristics. This paper presents tensile properties at 20 and 300°C for additional EXT+XROLL plates that were produced with varied percentages of Cross-Roll and Straight-Roll reductions, and presents tensile properties at 500°C for two plate thicknesses (10mm and 20mm) made with maximum Cross-Roll reduction (56%).