The wettability and interface thermal resistance of copper/graphite system with an addition of chromium

In the present work, the wettability and interface thermal resistance (ITR) of copper/graphite (Cu/Gr) system with an addition of chromium (Cr) was studied. First, alloy element of Cr (1.0 wt.%) was introduced in copper to improve the wettability of Cu/Gr system. The wetting procedure of liquid Cu–Cr alloy on graphite substrate was studied by sessile drop method. It was found that the contact angle decreased to 43° with addition of Cr. Then, an experimental method was employed to determine the ITR of Cu/Gr system. Results reveal that the ITR decreased significantly with the introducing of Cr. It suggested that the reduction of ITR related to the formation of a continuous carbide layer at the interface zone which consisted of Cr7C3 and Cr3C2.