Multiscale Modeling of Metal#x2013;Metal Contact Dynamics Under High Electromagnetic Stress: Timescales and Mechanisms for Joule Melting of Al#x2013;Cu Asperities

摘要

An analysis and initial results from a multiscale continuum-atomistic simulation of the Joule heating and melting of Cu#x2013;Al asperity contacts are presented. An analytic expression is given for the time needed to reach the Al melting point for an asperity as a function of the voltage drop and the asperity contact area. The coupled continuum-atomistic simulations capture the initial stages of the formation of Al#x2013;Cu alloys, which arises from the solvation of Cu atoms into the Al melt. The implications of these results for understanding contacts in electromagnetic launchers are discussed.