B. Smyrak

Characterization of Nanocarbon Copper Composites Manufactured in Metallurgical Synthesis Process

Currently, there is a worldwide search for new forms of materials with properties that are significantly improved in comparison to materials currently in use. One promising research direction lies in the synthesis of metals containing modern carbon materials (e.g., graphene, nanotubes). In this article, the research results of metallurgical synthesis of a mixture of copper and two different kinds of carbon (activated carbon and multiwall carbon nanotubes) are shown. Samples of copper–carbon nanocomposite were synthesized by simultaneously exposing molten copper to an electrical current while vigorously stirring and adding carbon while under an inert gas atmosphere. The article contains research results of density, hardness, electrical conductivity, structure (TEM), and carbon decomposition (SIMS method) for the obtained materials.

Research of the Laboratory Wire Drawing Process of Zinc

The paper present results of the research on the laboratory drawing process of zinc obtained in industrial conditions in the CCR by Properzi method. The force drawing, mechanical properties before and after process was measured and formability limit in drawing process was specified. Because the wire drawing process was on hot (above the recrystallization temperature) the material didn’t work hardening as a function of strain which reduces the ductility and breaking just after the die. The microscopic images of microstructure reveal the presence of large twins recrystallization reflecting the dynamic renewal structure.

A Study of the Influence of Strain Hardening and Precipitation Hardening Sequence on Mechanical Properties of AlMgSi Conductor Alloys

Precipitation-hardenable AlMgSi alloys grade 6101 of 0.5% Mg and 0.5% Si contents, are used for the construction of homogenous wires in overhead power lines. The dominating group of alloys with increased electrical conductivity is the AlMgSi alloy group, these are HC, EHC and EEHC type materials with tensile strength at approximately 300 MPa and electrical conductivity lower than conventional wires (56,5 – 54,3 %IACS). The study presents the results of the research of AlMgSi wires heat treatment in compliance with the PN-EN 50183 standard. The shaping of heat treatable AlMgSi alloy rods and wires properties is possible through an appropriate sequence of a precipitation hardening (during ageing) and strain hardening (during drawing processes). This paper is a comprehensive analysis of the technologies for the production of wires from AlMgSi alloys.

Effect of Iron Addition to Aluminium on the Structure and Properties of Wires Used for Electrical Purposes

Eight hypoeutectic aluminium alloys with iron content within the range of 0.07-1.09% by weight, were examined. The structure, the mechanical and electrical properties of wires used for electrical purposes were studied. The batch material for the drawing process was wire rod obtained from the continuous casting and rolling line by Continuus-Properzi method. It has shown a linear relationship between mechanical properties of wire rod, a higher plasticity of wire after drawing process and an increase in thermal resistance of the material with increasing iron content. The findings enable to draw conclusions of basic and application characteristics, pointing to the possibility of using aluminium with higher iron content in the wire drawing process of small diameter and microwires for the production of automotive bundles, accumulator cables and winding wires.

Research of Chemical Composition Influence on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Al-Mg-Si Wires

The subject of the work focuses on hardened-precipitation type alloys Al-Mg-Si which constitute the primary component material used to build homogeneous electric wires, type AAAC (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor). The material in consideration is a well-known and well-studied alloy, particularly in terms of the possibilities for using it in thermal treatment processes. However, the subject literature does not present a comprehensive recognition of the effect of heat treatment parameters on the set of mechanical and electrical properties in wires grade 6101. In particular, the study presents the results of experiments that show the possibility of controlling the AlMgSi wire properties by means of selecting the heat treatment parameters for simultaneously obtaining a high tensile strength and high electrical conductivity. Hence, the research described in this paper focuses mostly on determining the impact of the Mg and Si content on the electrical and mechanical properties of wires of Al-Mg-Si wire alloys.

Analysis of the Antimicrobial Copper Alloys Registered by the Environmental Protection Agency

The paper raises the issue of antimicrobial copper and its alloys constituting a promising solution for the constantly increasing problem of dangerous hospital-acquired infections. The major aim of the presented work is a precise analysis of antimicrobial copper alloys approved by The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with the Unified Numbering System, taking into account their European and international equivalent symbols as well – CEN and ISO, respectively. The analysis focuses mostly on the copper alloy types which the EPA list is composed of, their prices as well as materials and technological properties.

Rheological Resistance of CuAg15 Alloy Wires

The paper presents the results of studies on obtaining the alloy and generating a set of very high mechanical and electrical properties of wires. The paper also presents the results of testing the rheological resistance in the form of stress relaxation tests carried out on the wires after various thermomechanical treatment processes. The optimum parameters of the thermo-mechanical treatment of the alloy were determined, enabling obtaining the most favorable mechanical and electrical properties of wires. The relationships of the influence of the material and its deformation on the changes in the mechanical and electrical properties of wires were determined. In addition, a microstructural analysis was carried out of casts and wires using scanning electron microscopy. Cast material was subject to observation and the material at successive stages of heat treatment.

Researches on the Production of Conductive Aluminium-Graphene Composites

All over the world, intensive research is being conducted on the development of new conductive materials to be used in power engineering. The objective of this research is to increase electrical conductivity in wire and cable materials, and consequently, to increase line current-carrying capacities and reduce losses in electric energy transfer. Today, the expectations in the power engineering sector concentrates on conductive materials with electrical conductivity higher than conductivity of base materials, i.e. aluminum. The scientific discovery of the recent years, graphene, one of carbon allotropic variants with a very high electrical and thermal conductivity and mechanical strength, creates great possibilities to design and manufacture new materials, with super-standard functional properties. Graphene, can be a new kind of “alloy additive” to aluminum, which can significantly change their electric and another properties.This article focuses attention on the possibilities of graphene and aluminum synthesis. The researches was made over the different methods of producing these materials, in particular: chemical synthesis consisting in the combination of liquid metal with graphene into a form suitable for further processing in the processes of forming into wires. The article presents the results of mechanical properties and structural studies of aluminum-graphene composites.

Studies on Copper – Activated Carbon (CWZ14) Metallurgical Synthesis with the Use of Continuous Casting Method

Various allotropic forms of carbon like carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) can have high mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Because of this phenomena research results are being conducted worldwide on their possible use in electro-technical and electrical industry, for heat removal applications and in the fields of widely understood mechanical industry. Development method of high quality CNT’s is complex and can be long lasting. Because of those difficulties the production cost is very high and price of obtained CNT’s can reach thousands of euros. High cost of pure CNT’s and graphene is a direct reason for numbers of studies, also conducted in this article, on the synthesis of copper and other forms of carbon like i.e. activated carbon. Authors of this article state that also with the use of activated carbon one can achieve increase of copper mechanical, electrical, and technological properties. In this paper research results on copper and activated carbon (CWZ14) synthesis method are presented along with the research results of electrical, mechanical, rheological and micro-structural properties for obtained composites.

An Analytical Model for the High Temperature Low Sag Conductor Knee Point Determination

The modern high voltage power overhead lines operate with high temperature low sag (HTLS) conductors due to possibility of the current capacity increase. HTLS conductors are material and technological advanced solutions. The main advantage of HTLS conductors is a special designed operation conditions which cause the transformation of tensile stresses from the external aluminium base layers to the core. The conditions of this transformation are called “knee point” because a rapid change of the conductor sag - temperature relationship is observed. Prediction of conditions of the “knee point” temperature (KPT) is a key problem during overhead line design. The KPT is a function of different factors like conductor materials properties, conductor design, span parameters, sagging procedures and overhead line exploitation conditions. The paper presents an original theoretical model for HTLS conductors KPT calculations and shows some examples and comparisons of the different conductor designs and parameters.