Mechanical and thermal properties of Cu-coated diamond reinforced Cu matrix bioinspired laminated composites

Cu-coated diamonds reinforced Cu matrix laminated composites were successfully prepared by combining flake powder metallurgy and vacuum hot press sintering. The interface strength, mechanical properties and thermal properties of Cu-coated diamonds reinforced Cu matrix laminated composites were studied. Results show that the Cu flakes obtained by flake powder metallurgy is the key to realize the laminated structure. Cu-coated diamonds have higher dispersion and higher interfacial strength when mixed with Cu matrix due to tight bonding interface. The best compressive strength, tensile strength and thermal conductivity are obtained when the content of Cu-coated diamond is 3.0 wt%. On the one hand, the diamond particles are obviously refined to achieve fine grain strengthening; on the other hand, the laminated structure is the most obvious at this time, which can provide more heat conduction channels and thus increase the thermal conductivity. In addition, the high strength of diamond can effectively prevent crack propagation through the load transfer effect at the interface. This study provides a new idea for the preparation of functional structural materials with high mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. •The interfaces between diamond and Cu are more tightly bonded by adding Cu-coated diamonds.•Lamellar structures were successfully prepared by flake powder metallurgy and vacuum hot press sintering.•Lamellar structures enhance mechanical properties by hindering dislocation motion, fine grain and load transfer.•Lamellar structures reduce interfaces and enhance thermal conductivity.