I have several solid copper parts that i need to increase the surface hardness on ( to extend service live in a moderatly abrasive atmosphere) while not sacrificing the electrical conductivity. Any suggestions?

Hi DVB

to the Surface Engineering Forum.

Can't think of any coating system that will increase hardness/wear resistance of copper without some sacrifice of electrical conductivity. Electroless nickel plating or possibly rhodium plating may worth looking into. Need to go away and think a little more on this one.

Gordon Wrote:Hi DVB

to the Surface Engineering Forum.

Can't think of any coating system that will increase hardness/wear resistance of copper without some sacrifice of electrical conductivity. Electroless nickel plating or possibly rhodium plating may worth looking into. Need to go away and think a little more on this one.

Hi,DVB,
If you can sacrifice some electrical conductivity, Spraying AL Bronze will increase abrasion resistance as Al Bronze is harder and wear restant compared to copper
Vijay deshpande

Dear Colleagues
Concerning spraying on copper, we have an additional problem factor to deal with. The same as we had if someone are forced to spray on gold or silver.
To get a good bond strength to a copper base one has to remember that due to high heat transfer coefficient of copper, no inter metallic or heat forced chemical reactions are possible to achieve.
br bhe

may be shot peening
volf

To put things in perspective, I have used copper masking and masking plated w/ copper for APS and Gator Guard with great results. I have gotten the best results pre-oxidizing the copper.

Most HVOf applications w/ exception o JP-5000 it also work rather well.

Also, most copper based powders are notorious for poor adhesion properties and limited thickness.

That being said, I would try a PVD type coating and stay away from thermal spray. Keep in mind though that depending upon your wear environment, soft substrates w/ hard coatings may not acheive the results you want due to micro-substrate deformation.

Hi DVB

DVB Wrote:I have several solid copper parts that i need to increase the surface hardness on ( to extend service live in a moderatly abrasive atmosphere) while not sacrificing the electrical conductivity. Any suggestions?

Gordon Wrote:Hi DVB

to the Surface Engineering Forum.

Can't think of any coating system that will increase hardness/wear resistance of copper without some sacrifice of electrical conductivity. Electroless nickel plating or possibly rhodium plating may worth looking into. Need to go away and think a little more on this one.

May have false started on this one. Are you talking about electrical conductivity path through the coating or surface treatment or purely if the coating/treatment process will effect the conductivity of only the copper? If the conductive path is not via the coating then a thermal spray coating irrespective of material type should not effect conductivity.