Toward the Industrial Application of Aluminum-Based Nanocomposite Material: A Study of Zn-Plating Process in Circuit Breaker Application

Abstract

This article explores the industrial application of an Al-based nanocomposite reinforced with 0.5 wt.% of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with a Zn mechanical plating applied to fulfill the field requirements of electrical devices. The performance of electric devices made from this nanocomposite material and with a Zn plating was compared with that of MCCB devices using a normal Cu compound. MCCB devices with the Al-based nanocomposites compound showed a better performance, with less heat generated due to a flow of electrical charge passing through the device. The presence of MWCNTs in the Al nanocomposite dissipates heat, maintaining a stable electrical resistance in the MCCB, in contrast to what happens with Cu compound, which increases its electrical resistance as the temperature in the device increases.