Fabrication of high thermal conductivity and wear resistance graphite/copper composites by microwave hot press sintering

Abstract

Graphite/copper composites have great potential for tribological applications because of their high thermal and abrasion resistance. In this study, we successfully manufactured graphite/copper composites that demonstrated superior thermal conductivity and wear resistance by employing microwave hot press sintering (MHPS). The results demonstrated an enhancement in the density and hardness of the composites as the graphite particle size increased, owing to the influence of MHPS. Meanwhile, the graphite/copper composite with a graphite particle size of 300 µm has excellent thermal conductivity and friction properties, with a thermal conductivity of up to 679.5 W/mK and a wear rate of only 3.019 10−6 cm3/(N·m). The work is expected to provide a new route for the developing highly thermally conductive and abrasion-resistant materials.