Liquid Metallurgy Synthesis and Thermo–electrical Characterization of Copper–aluminum Metal Matrix Composite
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Date
2013
Authors
Osoba, L.O.
Afolabi, A.S.
Emmanuel, V.
Fasuba, O.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Advanced Materials Research
Abstract
Samples of copper-aluminum reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC) were prepared
by liquid metallurgy method using micron–sized silicon carbide (SiC) particulate. The resultant
MMC samples were characterized to determine their thermal, electrical and mechanical properties
in respect to varying particle sizes (212, 425, 710 and 1200 µm) of the SiC. The analyses of the
results obtained showed that the thermal conductivity of the composite increased with decrease in
particle size and volume fraction of the SiC. Also with decrease in grains size, high thermal
conductivity was achieved by increasing the volume fraction. The results obtained in this study
showed that alloying Cu matrix with aluminium is effective in reducing the interfacial reactions of a
typical Cu-SiC matrix composite. The synthesized MMC samples also possessed a combination of
high thermal and electrical conductivities with a low coefficient of thermal expansions which is
synonymous to a low tensile strain at a maximum load. These properties were achieved for a
60%Cu/Al(40%SiC) at 212 µm, 50%Cu/Al(50%SiC at 12 µm and 70%Cu/Al(30%SiC) at 710 µm.
The microstructural evaluation using optical microscopy (OM) indicated good dispersion of the SiC
particles in all the samples which consequently enhanced the microhardness obtained in the MMC
samples.
Description
Keywords
aluminum, composites, copper, SiC, MMC
Citation
Osoba, L.O. Afolabi, A.S. Emmanuel, V. Fasuba, O.A. (2013). Liquid Metallurgy Synthesis and Thermo–electrical Characterization of Copper–aluminum Metal Matrix Composite. Liquid Metallurgy Synthesis and Thermo–electrical Characterization of Copper–aluminum Metal Matrix Composite. Advanced Materials Research; 699: 650-655