Device and method for counter-gravity continuous casting of copper-graphene composite bar

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for antigravity continuous casting of a copper-graphene composite bar, and the device utilizes three pressure difference containers to carry out gas pressurization on a cavity containing copper melt and graphene; and the copper melt and the graphene powder raw material are conveyed into a mold of a bar forming cavity along a pipeline in the direction opposite to the gravity direction, and the copper-graphene composite material bar is obtained through upward drawing, cooling and co-solidification of a traction device. The device is simple, the feeding speed of raw materials and the traction speed of products can be adjusted and controlled by adjusting the pressure of the cavity, batch manufacturing can be achieved through current industrial equipment, and better operability and practicability are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of copper-graphene composite materials, and particularly relates to an apparatus and method for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material bars by counter-gravity casting. Background Art

[0002] Graphene has extremely high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. Copper-graphene composites have attracted extensive research due to their excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of graphene and copper matrix, and have great application potential as new high-conductivity materials and electronic packaging heat dissipation materials.

[0003] Most of the existing technologies use processes such as chemical vapor deposition, pressure processing or powder metallurgy to prepare copper-graphene composites, which have the characteristics of difficult process control, low material performance and difficulty in industrialization. In addition, due to the density of graphene being significantly less than that of copper and its low wettability with copper, it is easy to float on the surface of the copper melt, resulting in difficulty in manufacturing copper-graphene composites by the liquid phase method. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material bars by counter-gravity casting. The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material bars by counter-gravity casting, comprising:

[0006] A first chamber for containing copper melt;

[0007] A first pressure device connected to the first chamber, the first pressure device being used to adjust the gas pressure inside the first chamber;

[0008] A bar forming die located above the first chamber, the raw material inlet of the bar forming die being below the product outlet, a copper melt delivery pipe being provided at the raw material inlet of the bar forming die, the first end of the copper melt delivery pipe being communicated with the raw material inlet of the bar forming die, and the second end passing through the top of the first chamber and extending to a position below the liquid surface of the copper melt near the bottom of the first chamber;

[0009] A second chamber for containing graphene powder raw materials, the second chamber being located above the first chamber, a graphene delivery pipe being provided on the side wall of the second chamber, the first end of the graphene delivery pipe being communicated with the second chamber, and the second end being communicated with the bar forming die, the graphene delivery pipe being used to transport the graphene powder raw materials in the second chamber to the bar forming die;

[0010] A second pressure device, connected to the second chamber, for regulating the gas pressure inside the second chamber;

[0011] A third chamber, for collecting copper-graphene composite rods, located above the rod forming die, and the product outlet of the rod forming die passes through the bottom of the third chamber and is located inside the third chamber;

[0012] A third pressure device, connected to the third chamber, for regulating the gas pressure inside the third chamber.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for continuously casting copper-graphene composite rods by counter-gravity, applicable to the device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite rods according to any one of the above embodiments, and the method includes:

[0014] Performing a pressurization operation on the first chamber, and controlling the copper melt to be transported from the first chamber along the copper melt transport pipeline to the product outlet position near the upper end of the rod forming die;

[0015] Performing a pressurization operation on the second chamber, and controlling the graphene powder raw material to be transported from the second chamber to the rod forming die to be mixed with the copper melt;

[0016] Performing a vacuum pumping operation on the third chamber, and using a traction device to traction the copper melt mixed with the graphene powder raw material along the forming channel of the rod forming die to the product outlet of the rod forming die;

[0017] Performing a cooling and solidification treatment on the formed copper-graphene composite rods output from the product outlet of the rod forming die, and winding the copper-graphene composite rods after the cooling and solidification treatment.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0019] The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite rods by counter-gravity of the present invention uses a pressure device to increase the gas pressure in the chambers containing the copper melt and graphene, transports the copper melt and graphene powder raw material against the gravity direction to the outlet of the rod forming die, and obtains the copper-graphene composite rods through upward drawing and cooling and solidification. The device is simple, can realize batch manufacturing by using current industrial equipment, can regulate the feeding speed of the raw materials by adjusting the pressure of the chambers and the traction rate, and has better operability and practicability.

[0020] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented according to the content of the specification. In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following preferred embodiments are specifically exemplified and described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a device for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a flowchart of a method for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Reference Signs: 1 - First Chamber; 2 - First Pressure Device; 3 - Rod Forming Die; 301 - Die Body; 302 - Water-cooled Metal Sleeve; 4 - Second Chamber; 5 - Graphene Delivery Pipeline; 6 - Second Pressure Device; 7 - Third Chamber; 8 - Third Pressure Device; 9 - Copper Melt Delivery Pipeline; 10 - Traction Mechanism. Detailed Embodiments

[0024] In order to further elaborate on the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined invention purpose, the following provides a detailed description of a device and method for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity according to the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0025] The foregoing and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention can be clearly presented in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Through the description of the specific embodiments, a more in-depth and specific understanding of the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose can be obtained. However, the accompanying drawings are only for reference and illustration purposes and are not used to limit the technical solution of the present invention.

[0026] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a device for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity. Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is a schematic structural diagram of a device for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity provided by an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, the device for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity in this embodiment includes: a first chamber 1, a first pressure device 2, a rod forming die 3, a second chamber 4, a graphene delivery pipeline 5, a second pressure device 6, a third chamber 7, a third pressure device 8, and a copper melt delivery pipeline 9.

[0027] Among them, the first chamber 1 is used to hold molten copper; the first pressure device 2 is connected to the first chamber 1, and the first pressure device 2 is used to adjust the gas pressure inside the first chamber 1. The bar forming die 3 is located above the first chamber 1. The raw material inlet of the bar forming die 3 is located below the product outlet. A molten copper delivery pipe 9 is provided at the raw material inlet of the bar forming die 3. The first end of the molten copper delivery pipe 9 is communicated with the raw material inlet of the bar forming die 3, and the second end passes through the top of the first chamber 1 and extends to a position below the liquid level of the molten copper and close to the bottom of the first chamber 1. The second chamber 4 is used to hold graphene powder raw materials. The second chamber 4 is located above the first chamber 1. A graphene delivery pipe 5 is provided on the side wall of the second chamber. The first end of the graphene delivery pipe 5 is communicated with the second chamber 4, and the second end is communicated with the bar forming die 3. The graphene delivery pipe 5 is used to transport the graphene powder raw materials in the second chamber 4 to the bar forming die 3; the second pressure device 6 is connected to the second chamber 4, and the second pressure device 6 is used to adjust the gas pressure inside the second chamber 4 so that the pressure inside the second chamber 4 is greater than or equal to the gas pressure inside the first chamber 1. The third chamber 7 is used to collect copper-graphene composite bars. The third chamber 7 is located above the bar forming die 3. The product outlet of the bar forming die 3 passes through the bottom of the third chamber 7 and is located inside the third chamber 7; the third pressure device 8 is connected to the third chamber 7, and the third pressure device 8 is used to adjust the gas pressure inside the third chamber 7.

[0028] Optionally, a pressure device can be used to pressurize or evacuate the chamber to adjust the gas pressure inside the corresponding chamber.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, the bar forming die 3 includes a die body 301 and a water-cooled metal sleeve 302 sleeved on the upper part outside the die body 301. Exemplarily, the water-cooled metal sleeve 302 is only provided at the upper half outside the die body 301. A forming channel for molten copper is provided inside the die body 301. The first end of the forming channel is used as the raw material inlet of the bar forming die 3 and is connected to the first end of the molten copper delivery pipe 9, and the second end of the forming channel is used as the product outlet of the bar forming die 3.

[0030] It can be understood that the diameter of the forming channel is related to the size of the processed bar. Exemplarily, the diameter of the forming channel can be 5-20 mm.

[0031] Since the temperature of the molten copper is too high, in this embodiment, the die body 301 is made of a high-temperature resistant material. For example, it can be ceramic (such as high-temperature ceramic) or graphite material.

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the first end of the graphene delivery pipe 5 is connected to a position on the side wall of the second chamber 4 near the bottom of the second chamber 4, and the second end of the graphene delivery pipe 5 is connected to a position on the mold body 301 near the raw material inlet of the bar forming mold 3; the first end of the graphene delivery pipe 5 is higher than its second end to facilitate the transmission of the graphene powder raw material in the graphene delivery pipe 5.

[0033] Exemplarily, the connection position of the graphene delivery pipe 5 and the mold body 301 can be set at the 1 / 3 - 1 / 2 position of the bar forming mold 3 away from the first chamber 1. The connection position of the graphene delivery pipe 5 and the second chamber 4 can be set at the 1 / 3 - 1 / 2 position of the side wall of the second chamber 4 away from the bottom.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, a threaded screw structure (not shown in the figure) is provided inside the graphene delivery pipe 5. The threaded screw structure penetrates the inside of the graphene delivery pipe 5. Designing the threaded screw structure inside the graphene delivery pipe 5 can control the conveying speed of the added graphene powder raw material. Optionally, the material of the graphene delivery pipe 5 is graphite material.

[0035] In this embodiment, the graphene powder raw material can be graphene powder with a copper film or an aluminum film plated on its surface, thereby improving the dispersibility and stability of graphene in the copper melt. Among them, the copper film or aluminum film can be prepared on the surface of the graphene powder in advance by electroless plating or physical vapor deposition methods.

[0036] In this embodiment, the pressure difference between the first chamber 1 and the third chamber 7 is controlled by the first pressure device 2 and the third pressure device 8 so that the copper melt enters the mold body 301 and the liquid level is at the outlet position near the upper end of the mold body 301. By pressurizing the first chamber 1, the hot copper melt can be transported along the copper melt delivery pipe 9 against the direction of gravity to the bar forming mold 3 located above the first chamber 1. At the same time, during the transportation of the copper melt, by pressurizing the second chamber 4, the graphene powder raw material can be transported through the graphene delivery pipe 5 with a threaded screw structure inside to the bar forming mold 3 and mixed with the copper melt in the bar forming mold 3. By evacuating the third chamber 7, the copper melt mixed with the graphene powder in the bar forming mold 3 is pulled to be transported from the raw material inlet to the product outlet against the direction of gravity, and a formed copper-graphene composite material bar is output from the product outlet of the bar forming mold 3.

[0037] In this embodiment, the speed at which the copper melt in the first chamber 1 flows to the rod forming mold 3 can be controlled by the first pressure device 2, the speed at which the graphene powder raw material in the second chamber 4 is transported to the rod forming mold 3 can be controlled by the second pressure device 6 and the rate of the threaded screw structure in the graphene delivery pipe 5, and the pulling speed of the formed copper-graphene composite material rod can be controlled by the third pressure device 8.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, the device for anti-gravity continuous casting of copper-graphene composite rods also includes: a traction device, a cooling device and a wire take-up device (not shown in the figure). Wherein, the traction device includes a copper rod and a traction mechanism 10 connected to each other, the traction mechanism 10 is located outside the third chamber 7, and illustratively, the traction mechanism 10 can be a two-wheel traction wheel, and the copper rod is inserted from the product outlet of the rod forming mold 3 into the forming flow channel in the mold body 301. Under the action of the traction mechanism 10, the copper rod leads the formed copper-graphene composite rod out of the rod forming mold at a preset speed. The cooling device is a water-cooled crystallizer, such as a water-cooled copper tube, and the inner wall of the copper tube is a graphite tube. The water-cooled crystallizer is located inside the third chamber 7, and is arranged near the product outlet of the rod forming mold 3, and is used to cool and solidify the formed copper-graphene composite rod. The wire take-up device is located inside the third chamber 7, and is arranged near the product outlet of the rod forming mold 3, and is used to roll up the copper-graphene composite rod after cooling and solidification.

[0039] The device for anti-gravity continuous casting of copper-graphene composite rods in the embodiment of the present invention uses a pressure device to gas-pressurize the chamber containing copper melt and graphene, transport the copper melt and graphene powder raw materials to the outlet of the rod forming mold against the direction of gravity, and obtain the copper-graphene composite rods through upward drawing and cooling and solidification. The device is simple and can be used to achieve batch production using current industrial equipment. The feed speed of the raw materials can be adjusted by adjusting the pressure and traction rate of the chamber, and has better operability and practicality.

[0040] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod under anti-gravity conditions. Figure 2 , Figure 2 : is a flow chart of a method for anti-gravity continuous casting of copper-graphene composite material rods provided by an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the method for anti-gravity continuous casting of copper-graphene composite material rods of this embodiment is applicable to the device for anti-gravity continuous casting of copper-graphene composite material rods provided in the first aspect, and the method comprises:

[0041] Step 1: Pressurize the first chamber to control the copper melt to be transported from the first chamber along the copper melt transport pipeline to a product outlet position close to the upper end of the rod forming mold.

[0042] Optionally, the first chamber is pressurized by the first pressure device, and the copper melt flows into the bar forming die against the gravity direction along the copper melt conveying pipeline. The rising position of the copper melt can be controlled by controlling the magnitude of the pressure applied by the first pressure device. The specific magnitude of the applied pressure and the height of the pipeline of the forming die are not limited herein.

[0043] Step 2: The second chamber is pressurized, and the graphene powder raw material is controlled to be conveyed from the second chamber to the bar forming die to be mixed with the copper melt.

[0044] Optionally, the second chamber is pressurized by the second pressure device, and the graphene powder raw material can be conveyed to the bar forming die by the threaded screw structure along the graphene conveying pipeline. The conveying speed of the graphene powder raw material can be controlled by controlling the magnitude of the pressure applied by the second pressure device and the rotation speed of the threaded screw structure. The specific magnitude of the applied pressure and the rotation speed of the threaded screw are not limited herein.

[0045] In this embodiment, the graphene powder raw material is graphene powder with a copper film or an aluminum film plated on the surface. When the graphene powder enters the bar forming die and is mixed with the copper melt, the dispersibility and stability of the graphene in the copper melt can be improved.

[0046] Step 3: The third chamber is evacuated, and the copper melt mixed with the graphene powder raw material is pulled along the forming channel of the bar forming die to the product outlet of the bar forming die by the traction device.

[0047] In this embodiment, by coordinately controlling the pressure difference between the first chamber and the third chamber, the copper melt is conveyed from the first chamber to the product outlet position of the bar forming die along the copper melt conveying pipeline.

[0048] In this embodiment, the copper-graphene bar is pulled by the traction device. The traction device is used to control the movement mode of the copper melt mixed with the graphene powder raw material along the bar forming die. The movement mode can adopt a reciprocating movement mode of rising, falling, and rising, so that the copper-graphene bar flows against the gravity direction towards the product outlet of the bar forming die. The traction speed of the copper melt mixed with the graphene powder raw material can be controlled by controlling the movement mode of the traction device. The specific magnitude of the pressure inside the third chamber and the movement mode of the traction device are not limited herein.

[0049] Exemplarily, the pressure inside the third chamber is significantly lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the average speed of the traction device is 5 - 50 cm / min.

[0050] Step 4: Cool and solidify the formed copper-graphene composite material bar output from the product outlet of the bar forming die, and wind up the copper-graphene composite material bar after the cooling and solidification treatment.

[0051] In this embodiment, after the formed copper-graphene composite material bar comes out of the product outlet of the bar forming die, control the cooling device to cool and solidify the formed copper-graphene composite material bar to obtain the copper-graphene composite material bar, and then use the wire winding device to wind up the copper-graphene composite material bar after the cooling and solidification treatment.

[0052] For the specific content and corresponding beneficial effects of the method for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material bars by counter-gravity, please refer to the relevant content of the device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material bars provided in the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0053] It should be noted that in this article, relational terms such as first and second are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "comprising", "including" or any other variant is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that an article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including a..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the article or device including the element. "Connection" or "connected" and other similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connection, but may include electrical connection, whether direct or indirect. The orientation or positional relationship indicated by "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0054] The above content is a further detailed description of the present invention in combination with specific preferred embodiments, and it cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present invention is only limited to these descriptions. For those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several simple deductions or substitutions can still be made, and all should be regarded as belonging to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity, characterized in that, Comprising: A first chamber (1) for containing molten copper; A first pressure device (2) connected to the first chamber (1), the first pressure device (2) being used to adjust the gas pressure inside the first chamber (1); A bar forming die (3) located above the first chamber (1), the raw material inlet of the bar forming die (3) being below the product outlet, a molten copper delivery pipe (9) being provided at the raw material inlet of the bar forming die (3), the first end of the molten copper delivery pipe (9) being in communication with the raw material inlet of the bar forming die (3), and the second end passing through the top of the first chamber (1) and extending to a position below the liquid level of the molten copper and near the bottom of the first chamber (1); A second chamber (4) for containing graphene powder raw material, the second chamber (4) being located above the first chamber (1), a graphene delivery pipe (5) being provided on the side wall of the second chamber (4), the first end of the graphene delivery pipe (5) being in communication with the second chamber (4), and the second end being in communication with the bar forming die (3), the graphene delivery pipe (5) being used to transport the graphene powder raw material in the second chamber (4) into the bar forming die (3); A second pressure device (6) connected to the second chamber (4), the second pressure device (6) being used to adjust the gas pressure inside the second chamber (4); A third chamber (7) for collecting copper-graphene composite bars, the third chamber (7) being located above the bar forming die (3), the product outlet of the bar forming die (3) passing through the bottom of the third chamber (7) and being located inside the third chamber (7); A third pressure device (8) connected to the third chamber (7), the third pressure device (8) being used to adjust the gas pressure inside the third chamber (7).

2. The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material rods with anti-gravity according to claim 1, characterized in that The bar forming die (3) includes: a die body (301) and a water-cooled metal sleeve (302) sleeved on the outer upper part of the die body (301); A forming channel for molten copper is provided inside the die body (301), the first end of the forming channel being used as the raw material inlet of the bar forming die (3) and connected to the first end of the molten copper delivery pipe (9), and the second end of the forming channel being used as the product outlet of the bar forming die (3).

3. The device for continuously casting the copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity according to claim 2, wherein, The diameter of the forming channel is 5 - 20 mm.

4. The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material rods with anti-gravity according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material of the die body (301) is ceramic or graphite material.

5. The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material rods with anti-gravity according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first end of the graphene delivery pipe (5) is connected to a position on the side wall of the second chamber (4) near the bottom of the second chamber (4), and the second end of the graphene delivery pipe (5) is connected to a position on the die body (301) near the raw material inlet of the bar forming die (3); the first end of the graphene delivery pipe (5) is higher than its second end.

6. The device for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity according to claim 1, characterized in that, A threaded screw structure is provided inside the graphene delivery pipe (5), and the material of the graphene delivery pipe (5) is graphite material.

7. The device for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity according to claim 1, characterized in that, The graphene powder raw material includes graphene powder with a copper film or an aluminum film plated on its surface.

8. The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite material rods with anti-gravity according to claim 2, wherein, The pressure difference between the first chamber (1) and the third chamber (7) is controlled by the first pressure device (2) and the third pressure device (8) so that the copper melt enters the mold body (301) and the liquid level height is at the outlet position near the upper end of the mold body (301).

9. The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite rods with anti-gravity according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite rods by counter-gravity further includes: a traction device, a cooling device, and a wire winding device, where, The traction device includes a copper rod and a traction mechanism (10) connected to each other. The traction mechanism (10) is located outside the third chamber (7). The copper rod is inserted from the product outlet of the rod forming mold (3) into the forming flow channel inside the mold body (301). Under the action of the traction mechanism (10), the formed copper-graphene composite rod is drawn out of the rod forming mold (3) at a preset speed. The cooling device is a water-cooled crystallizer. The water-cooled crystallizer is located inside the third chamber (7) and is arranged near the product outlet of the rod forming mold (3) for cooling and solidifying the formed copper-graphene composite rod. The wire winding device is located inside the third chamber (7) and is arranged near the product outlet of the rod forming mold (3) for winding the copper-graphene composite rod after cooling and solidifying treatment.

10. A method for continuously casting a copper-graphene composite material rod with anti-gravity, characterized in that, A method applicable to the device for continuously casting copper-graphene composite rods by counter-gravity according to any one of claims 1-9, the method includes: Performing a pressurization operation on the first chamber to control the copper melt to be transported from the first chamber along the copper melt transport pipeline to the product outlet position near the upper end of the rod forming mold. Performing a pressurization operation on the second chamber to control the graphene powder raw material to be transported from the second chamber to the rod forming mold to be mixed with the copper melt. Performing a vacuum pumping operation on the third chamber, and using the traction device to draw the copper melt mixed with the graphene powder raw material along the forming flow channel of the rod forming mold to the product outlet of the rod forming mold. Performing a cooling and solidifying treatment on the formed copper-graphene composite rod output from the product outlet of the rod forming mold, and winding the copper-graphene composite rod after cooling and solidifying treatment.

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