PRINCIPLES OF PARTICLE SELECTION FOR DISPERSION-STRENGTHENED COPPER

A new fundamental approach to the design of high strength, high thermal conductivity dispersion-strengthened copper alloys for applications in actively cooled structures is developed. This concept is based on a consideration of the basic principles of thermodynamics, kinetics and mechanical properties. The design requirements for these materials include a uniform distribution of fine particles for creep and fatigue resistance. a high thermal conductivity thermodynamic and chemical stability at temperatures up to 1300 K, a small difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the particle and matrix, and low particle coarsening rates at the processing and service temperatures. The theory for creep of dispersion-strengthened metals developed by Rosler and Arzt is used to predict the optimum particle size for a given service temperature and to illustrate the need for a high interfacial energy. Resistance to coarsening leads to a requirement for low diffusivity and solubility of particle constituent elements in the matrix. Based on the needs for a low difference in the coefficients of thermal expansion to minimize thermal-mechanical fatigue damage and low duffusivity and solubility of the constituent elements, several candidate ceramic phases are compared using a weighted property index scheme. The results of this quantitative comparison suggest that CeO2, MgO, CaO and possibly Y2O3 may be good candidates for the dispersed phase in a copper matrix.