Author: Lorenzo Cerasti ; Type of thesis: Master thesis
Abstract: Copper is probably the metal that the human race knows from more time, and in recent
years its use is growing exponentially1. It is employed in every industry, from architecture
to sculpture, from electronics to medicine, from food to musical instruments, and so on.
The ultra-pure Copper then, for its characteristics of thermal and electrical conductivity,
and corrosion resistance (all three exceeded only by Gold and Silver), is critical in special
and advanced applications such as particle physics, the superconducting accelerators
and all the components involved in high value-added applications.
For the latter components, the surface finish is not only an aesthetic whim but a
necessary request.
Roughness plays an important role in determining how a real object will interact with its
environment. Rough surfaces usually wear more quickly and have higher friction
coefficients than smooth surfaces. Roughness is often a good predictor of the
performance of a mechanical component, since irregularities in the surface may form
nucleation sites for cracks or corrosion. Although a high roughness value is often
undesirable, it can be difficult and expensive to control in manufacturing. Decreasing the
roughness of a surface will usually increase its manufacturing costs.
his project work focuses on the ultra high cleaning protocol of Copper components for
particle physics, superconducting cavities and technology transfer of this knowledge to
anodes for X-ray tubes.
National Institute for Nuclear Physics
