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Copper high temperature oxidation protection

May 9, 2008

I want to use a copper heat spreader at 450°C, but the pure copper has severe oxidation damage at that temperature. We had a copper sample nickel plated (10 µm), but the nickel plating gets all colors of the rainbow after heating to 450°C and the nickel tends to come loose at sharp edges. So this does not seem to be the best solution. We do need the high thermal conductivity of copper for our application.
Any suggestions to fix the problem ?
Thanks.

Herman Geeraerts
Researcher - Mol, Belgium

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May 8, 2008

Hi, Herman. Molds for continuous casting of steel are frequently nickel plated copper. I think it may be the execution rather than the principle that is deficient. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

If you only need a heat resistant surface to avoid color change you may also try a PVD titanium nitride coating.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
May 9, 2008

Hi, my problem is that Cu2O (cuprous oxide)and CuO (cupric oxide)are formed on the copper surface. CuO is very dangerous for me. I don't want to form CuO on the copper surface during copper casting process. I want to prevent or reduce forming CuO. What do you recommend me for this problem?

Ferhat Omaç
I am a student - Istanbul, Turkey
February 27, 2009

We are plating copper on steel tube type parts. Customer requires that the plated part to pass 190 °C for 60 minutes with no color change on both inside and outside. What chemicals can be used to protect the plated copper parts?

Samson Law
- Hong Kong
July 3, 2009