Novel processing, testing and characterization of copper/carbon nanotube (Cu/CNT) yarn composite conductor. Issue 2 (6th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Almansour, Amjad; Sacksteder, Dagny; Goretski, Anthony J.; Lizcano, Maricela
• Other Names: Fukushima Manabu guestEditor.; Wang Jingyang guestEditor.; Balaya Palani guestEditor.; Kim Young‐Wook guestEditor.; Singh Mrityunjay guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of applied ceramic technology. Volume 20:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 917
• Page End: 937
• Publication Date: 2023-01-06
• Subjects: acoustic emission -- copper‐CNT interface -- electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) -- electrical current sharing -- enhanced electrical conductivity -- lightweight composite conductor -- metalized CNT; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Ceramics -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; 620.1405
• DOI: 10.1111/ijac.14302
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1546-542X

Abstract

Abstract: Sustainable electrified aircraft propulsion (EAP) is likely to lead to an increase in the electrical wiring contained within a single aircraft. Since the electrical resistance and mass of copper (Cu) conductors are associated with power losses, it is desirable to design high‐conductivity lightweight conductor materials, thus reducing the mass of components like motor windings, low‐voltage signal cables, and transmission cables for data and power to improve the overall energy efficiency. This paper describes a unique framework for manufacturing metalized carbon nanotube (CNT) composite conductors, measuring their electrical conductivity and strength, and modeling the overall conductivity and current sharing within such composites. Tensile testing was conducted on the processed composite conductor cables with the use of acoustic emission and electrical resistivity to determine stress‐dependent‐failure mechanisms while monitoring the electrical conductivity. The average of measured electrical conductivities of annealed Cu/CNT samples from batch 5 was greater than theoretical predictions by 9.8 percent and was also greater than the conductivity of pure annealed Cu by 4.8 percent and had comparable ultimate tensile strengths. Additionally, those Cu/CNT samples provide a 13.5% weight saving over current state of the art copper wires. Theories explaining improved intrinsic conductivity are discussed.