Copper alloys from metal oxide precursors for high conductivity applications

Extrusion of oxide powders allows fabrication of thin-walled metal articles to produce controlled-geometry, low-density copper alloy architectures. Shapes formed with copper oxide powders mixed with alloying oxides are reduced and sintered to produce high relative densities in the thin walls. This technology has produced square-cell honeycomb extrusions, which are being characterized for heat sink applications. This effort is to determine the bulk properties of alloys produced by this type of thermo-chemical powder processing and to explain behavior based on the final chemistry and microstructure of the alloys. Compositions investigated include Cu, Cu-Ni, Cu-Ag, W Cu, Cu-Invar, Cu-Al(2)O(3), and Cu-Cr alloys. Alloys have been characterized for relative density, thermal conductivity, and grain size. Mechanical properties including tensile and yield strength and elongation were measured on Cu-Ni and Cu-Ag, and the results were analyzed based on porosity and composition of the alloys. Properties were compared to alloys made through conventional processing and powder metallurgy.