Metallization of Porous Polyethylene Using a Wire-Arc Spray Process for Heat Transfer Applications

Metallization of polyethylene (PE) using thermal spray techniques has proved difficult due to its low melting point and softness. In this study, metallic coatings were applied on porous polyethylene substrates using a twin wire-arc spray process. Commercially available polyethylene sheets, 3 mm in thickness, were used as substrates. Copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and zinc (Zn) were successfully deposited on the porous polymer, without prior surface preparation, to form coatings with thickness of about 400 µm. Coating surface morphology and cross-sections were examined using a scanning electron microscope. Individual metal splats on the porous and non-porous substrates were observed to study the differences in the bonding mechanisms. The adhesion strength and electrical resistivity of the coatings on porous PE were evaluated. It was found that the bond strength of all three metallic coatings was found to be higher than the ultimate fracture strength of the porous. These results suggest that porosity in the polymer helps to overcome the challenges of metallizing polyethylene and provides a significant reduction in the weight of the polymer. Therefore, all these properties aided in fabricating an extremely lightweight, composite material with potential use in thermal management applications.