Effect of immersion Ni plating on interface microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Cu bimetal

A nickel-based coating was deposited on the pure Al substrate by immersion plating, and the Al/Cu bimetals were prepared by diffusion bonding in the temperature range of 450–550 °C. The interface microstructure and fracture surface of Al/Cu joints were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mechanical properties of the Al/Cu bimetals were measured by tensile shear and microhardness tests. The results show that the Ni interlayer can effectively eliminate the formation of Al-Cu intermetallic compounds. The Al/Ni interface consists of the Al₃Ni and Al₃Ni₂ phases, while it is Ni-Cu solid solution at the Ni/Cu interface. The tensile shear strength of the joints is improved by the addition of Ni interlayer. The joint with Ni interlayer annealed at 500 °C exhibits a maximum value of tensile shear strength of 34.7 MPa.