Effect of the incorporation of interfacial elements on the thermophysical properties of Cu/VGCNFs composites

Jorge Barcena (1) , M. Garcia de Cortazar (1) , R. Seddon (1) , J.C. Lloyd (2) , A. Torregaray (3) , J. Coleto (1)

1 Functional Materials and Particle Technology Dept.
2 CAM - University of Cambridge [UK]
3 Departamento de Ingenieria Minera

Vapour grown carbon nanofibres exhibit high mechanical properties and thermal conductivities. Therefore they are potential reinforcements in composites materials for high strength and high thermal conductivity applications. A problem not yet solved is the promotion of an improved copper/carbon interface. Several strategies have been envisaged for the incorporation of alloying elements (Ni, Co, B and Ti) at the interface. These techniques are based on duplex electroless plating coatings (combination of Cu and Ni or Cu and Co), electroless plating of alloys (Cu-B) and addition of metal nanoparticles (Ti) to Cu matrix deposited by electroless plating. The effect of the incorporation of these metallic elements on the microstructure and thermophysical properties is discussed. B and Ti lead to higher interaction at the Cu/C interface over Ni and Co. This allows the reduction of the coefficient of thermal expansion but regarding the thermal conductivity it was not possible to obtain a value higher than that of copper.

Mots clés: Vapour grown carbon nanofibres; A. Metal-matrix composites (MMCs); B. Interface

Domaines: Matériaux

Jorge Barcena, M. Garcia de Cortazar, R. Seddon, J.C. Lloyd, A. Torregaray, et al.. Effect of the incorporation of interfacial elements on the thermophysical properties of Cu/VGCNFs composites. Composites Science and Technology, 2010, 70 (16), pp.2258. ⟨10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.05.025⟩. ⟨hal-00696573⟩