Fabrication and Evaluation of CoSb3/Electrode Thermoelectric Joints

Joining of TE material to electrode is the key technique in the construction of TE device for the practical applications. In this study, a suitable alloy electrode was introduced into CoSb3-based element by means of spark plasma sintering (SPS). Finite element analysis showed that the maximum thermal residual stress appeared at the cylindrical surface zone close to the CoSb3/electrode interface. Microstructure of CoSb3/electrode was investigated by EPMA and the intermetallic compound (IMC) layers were found. The shear strength of CoSb3/electrode joints was tested and the results show that the joints have sufficient strength for reliability of TE device. Electrical contact resistance between CoSb3 and electrode was measured by means of four-probe technique. The results show that the contact resistance was minimal and below the 50μΩ.cm2, which meant the joint exhibited a good electrical contact. The high temperature reliability evaluation showed good thermal duration stability of the CoSb3/electrode joints.

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One-Step Sintering of CoSb3 Thermoelectric Material and Cu-W Alloy by Spark Plasma Sintering

Materials Science Forum ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.610-613.389 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 610-613 ◽

pp. 389-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

De Gang Zhao ◽

Li Wang ◽

Yan Hong Cai ◽

Wan Jiang ◽

Li Dong Chen

Keyword(s):

Spark Plasma Sintering ◽

Surface Zone ◽

Shear Tests ◽

Interface Area ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Plasma Sintering ◽

Spark Plasma ◽

One Step ◽

Electrode Interface ◽

Te Material

In this study, we designed a suitable electrode material was designed, Cu-W alloy, which achieved a good thermal match with CoSb3 thermoelectric (TE) material. By means of spark plasma sintering (SPS), Cu-W alloy was introduced into CoSb3/Ti/Cu-W TE element successfully. Finite element analysis showed that the maximum thermal residual stress appeared at the cylindrical surface zone close to the CoSb3/electrode interface. SEM and EPMA results showed that an intermetallic compound (IMC) layer formed at the CoSb3/Ti interface and EDS analysis confirmed the IMC layer was TiSb phase. Shear tests showed that the shear strength of CoSb3/Ti/Cu70W30 joint was about 50Mpa. The potential profile of the interface area was measured by the four-probe method and the result showed no abrupt change in voltage was found around the interface. The high temperature reliability evaluation showed the joint had high thermal duration stability.

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Carbon to cast iron electrical contact resistance constitutive model for finite element analysis

Journal of Materials Processing Technology ◽

10.1016/s0924-0136(02)00430-2 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 132 (1-3) ◽

pp. 119-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Daniel Richard ◽

Mario Fafard ◽

René Lacroix ◽

Pascal Cléry ◽

Yves Maltais

Keyword(s):

Finite Element Analysis ◽

Finite Element ◽

Cast Iron ◽

Constitutive Model ◽

Contact Resistance ◽

Electrical Contact ◽

Electrical Contact Resistance ◽

Element Analysis

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Fabrication of Skutterudite-Based Tubular Thermoelectric Generator

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13051106 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1106 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hanhwi Jang ◽

Jong Bae Kim ◽

Abbey Stanley ◽

Suhyeon Lee ◽

Yeongseon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Contact Resistance ◽

Thermoelectric Generator ◽

Thermal Contact ◽

Electrical Contact ◽

Specific Contact Resistance ◽

Electrical Contact Resistance ◽

Plasma Sintering ◽

Planar Substrate ◽

Specific Contact ◽

Tubular Thermoelectric Generator

The conversion efficiency of the thermoelectric generator (TEG) is adversely affected by the quality of thermal contact between the module and the heat source. TEGs with the planar substrate are not suitable for the curved heat sources. Several attempts have been made to tackle this issue by fabricating complex tubular-shaped TEGs; however, all efforts have been limited to low-temperature applications. Furthermore, the electrical contact resistance of the module is critical to achieving a high-power output. In this work, we developed the tubular TEG with significantly low specific contact resistance by optimizing the joining process. We show that the modified resistance welding (MRW) performed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) is an efficient joining method for the fabrication of the TE module, with high feasibility and scalability. This research seeks to suggest important design rules to consider when fabricating TEGs.

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