Speaker
Mr
E. W. Hoppe
(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Description
High purity copper continues to play an important role for ultra-low-background detectors. Measurements of rare nuclear decays, e.g. neutrinoless double-beta decay, and searches for dark matter can require construction materials that have high thermal and electrical conductivity with bulk radiopurity less than one micro-Becquerel per kilogram. However, experiments currently using components constructed of radiopure electroformed copper struggle with design of structural and mechanical parts due to the physical properties of pure copper. A higher strength material which possesses many of the favorable attributes of copper yet remains radiopure is desired. A number of copper alloying candidates which may provide improved mechanical performance and adequate radiopurity were considered. Development of an electrodeposited copper-chrome alloy from additive-free electrolyte systems is discussed. The resulting material is shown to possess high strength and meets the aforementioned radiopurity goals.
Primary author
Dr
A. M. Suriano
(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology)
Co-authors
Mr
E. W. Hoppe
(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)
Dr
S. M. Howard
(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology)
