Application of interlayers in the soldering process of graphite composite to aluminium alloy 6060

Abstract The paper presents a problem of joining graphite-copper composite to aluminium alloy 6060 by soldering method. This type of joints is used in electricity transmitting devices, e.g. in current receivers of rail vehicles. Therefore, the joints should show good electrical conductivity. Soldering process of graphite to aluminium directly is impossible and requires application of metallic interlayers. The problem was solved by using interlayers deposited by electroplating and low pressure cold spraying (LPCS) prior to soldering process. Various methods of substrate preparation were used. The results of shear strength and metallographic analysis were described. The highest shear strength of 17.6 MPa showed sample prepared by grit blasting and cold plasma, simultaneously.