Theoretical Evaluation of the Wettability of Copper Alloys to Carbon Fiber

Abstract

Effects of alloying additions on improving the wettability of liquid copper (Cu) to carbon fiber (C) has been quantitatively evaluated by using a newly defined quantity, F, which has the meaning that the larger the F in its magnitiude the better the wettability of a copper alloy to carbon fider. Based on a simple thermodynamical model, F as to the C/Cu system can be easily calculated. The values of F for alloying elements Mo, Cr, Fe, V and Co are comparatively large. These theoretical predictions correspond well to the results in a previous experiment by the present authors on alloying effects to improve the wettability of copper to carbon fiber.