Abstract
Composite materials based on Cu matrix have a wide range of applications because of their extraordinary features such as high thermal conductivity and high mechanical strength. The preparation of Cu-ZrB₂ and CuCr1Zr-ZrB₂ composites via gas pressure infiltration technology is described in this work. In contrast to most ceramic materials, ZrB₂ is electrically and thermally conductive. All tested samples, i.e. prepared from the ZrB₂ porous preform with a porosity of 40 % were infiltrated with molten Cu or CuCr1Zr alloy. Microstructure and homogeneity after infiltration were examined by SEM-EDS microscopy. The interface between the Cu matrix and ZrB₂ ceramics was explored by TEM microscopy. As-infiltrated composites were thermally cycled up to 800 °C with heating and cooling rates of 3 °C min^–1 in an argon atmosphere.

Key words
Cu-ZrB₂ composite materials, metal matrix, gas pressure infiltration, thermal treatment

Full text (783 KB)