Influence of the AC Electrical Constant Current on the Aging Behavior of Al/Cu Bimetal

Al/Cu bimetals have many applications in power lines. During operation and due to the crossing electrical current, bimetals are heated and the temperature increases, resulting in microstructural changes and properties alternation in the interface areas. The aim of this article is to study aging treatment of friction welded Cu/Al bimetallic joint, in the presence of electrical current. Aging of bimetals was carried out under electric currents of 250 A and 500 A, which caused the components to warm up to initial temperatures of 150 °C and 250 °C, respectively. The results show that electrical current increase from 250 A to 500 A leads to increase intermetallic grows rate and increase electrical resistance. Also, the possible stable phases at the interface are CuAl2, CuAl, Cu4Al3, and Cu3Al2.