Graphite films/copper composites with high thermal conductivity in the vertical direction obtained by radial structural design

Abstract

To obtain highly thermally conductive materials in both the X-Y and Z directions, a reinforcement phase macrostructure design was used to improve the thermal conductivity (TC) of the composites. We fabricated copper matrix composites with a radial graphite film skeleton via fast hot pressing technology. The results showed that the radial structure design was an effective strategy. The TC in the Z-direction of composites with radial structures is 10 times higher than that of laminated composites while maintaining a high TC in the X-Y direction. The TC of the composites was 778 W/mK in the X-Y direction and 287 W/mK in the Z direction when the graphite films were at a 20 % volume fraction. Composites have the potential to become thermal management materials.