Aluminum-scandium alloys for busbars
A busbar for electric power distribution comprises an aluminum (Al) alloy including scandium (Sc) and optionally including zirconium (Zr), erbium (Er), and/or ytterbium (Yb). In an example, the Sc and/or other elements are uniformly distributed throughout an entirety of the Al alloy. In an example, the Al is in a range of 98 to 99.99 percent by weight (wt %), and the scandium (Sc) is in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.
1 . A busbar comprising:
an aluminum (Al) alloy consisting of:
aluminum;
an amount of scandium (Sc) in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 wt %; and
unavoidable impurities.
2 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the amount of Sc is in a range of 0.1 to 0.2 wt %.
3 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the busbar has an electrical conductivity greater than 50% International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS) and an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) greater than 150 MPa.
4 . The busbar of claim 3 , wherein the electrical conductivity of the busbar is greater than 55% IACS and the UTS of the busbar is greater than 250 MPa.
5 . The busbar of claim 3 , wherein the electrical conductivity of the busbar is greater than 58% IACS and the UTS of the busbar is greater than 250 MPa.
6 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the busbar qualifies for IEC 62004 AT3 thermal stability.
7 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the busbar qualifies for IEC 62004 AT4 thermal stability.
8 . The busbar of claim 1 , further comprising:
nanoscale carbon particles in an amount between 0.01 and 2.0 wt %.
9 . The busbar of claim 1 , wherein the Sc is uniformly distributed throughout an entirety of the Al alloy.
10 . A busbar comprising:
an aluminum (Al) alloy consisting of:
aluminum;
an amount of scandium (Sc) in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 wt %;
one or more elements from the group consisting of: zirconium (Zr), erbium (Er), and ytterbium (Yb); and
unavoidable impurities.
11 . The busbar of claim 10 , wherein the amount of Sc is in a range of 0.1 to 0.2 wt %.
12 . The busbar of claim 10 , comprising:
an amount of Zr in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.
13 . The busbar of claim 10 , comprising:
an amount of Er in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.
14 . The busbar of claim 10 , comprising:
an amount of Yb in a range of 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.
15 . The busbar of claim 10 , further comprising:
nanoscale carbon particles in an amount between 0.01 and 2.0 wt %.
16 . The busbar of claim 10 , wherein the Sc and one or more other elements are uniformly distributed throughout an entirety of the Al alloy.