Aluminum-carbon metal matrix composites for fasteners
OwnerKyle Deane, Markus Boehm +3inventors
InventorsKyle Deane, Markus Boehm, Jeyakumar Manickaraj, Stefan Maat, Douglas Meyers
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Abstract
A fastener configured for an electrical power distribution application is disclosed. The fastener includes an aluminum (Al) metal matrix composite (MMC) comprising nanoscale carbon particles in a concentration of 0.01 to 2 percent by weight (wt %). The nanoscale carbon particles are evenly distributed throughout an entirety of the MMC. The fastener is useful for connecting conductors such as busbars, wires, or cables. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating the aluminum MMC fastener comprising a solid-state deformation process.
Claims27
A fastener configured for an electrical power distribution application, the fastener comprising:
- an aluminum (Al) metal matrix composite (MMC) comprising nanoscale carbon particles in a concentration of 0.01 to 2 percent by weight (wt %),
- wherein the nanoscale carbon particles are evenly distributed throughout an entirety of the Al-MMC.
An assembly for electrical transmission comprising:
- a fastener configured for an electrical power distribution application, the fastener comprising:
- an aluminum (Al) metal matrix composite (MMC) comprising nanoscale carbon particles in a concentration of 0.01 to 2 percent by weight (wt %),
- wherein the nanoscale carbon particles are evenly distributed throughout an entirety of the Al-MMC;
- and
- a conductor comprised of:
- pure Al,
- an Al alloy, or
- an Al-C MMC.
A process for obtaining an even distribution of nanoscale carbon particles throughout an entirety of a metal matrix composite (MMC) fastener, the process comprising:
- obtaining a MMC feedstock material comprising a metal matrix and nanoscale carbon particles;
- and
- processing the MMC feedstock material through a solid-state deformation process during or prior to MMC fastener production to thereby form an MMC fastener with an even distribution of the nanoscale carbon particles throughout an entirety of the MMC fastener.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.