Enhanced stability of the Diamond/Al composites by W coatings prepared by the magnetron sputtering method

In the present work, the effect of the W coatings prepared by the magnetron sputtering method on the stability of the thermal and mechanical properties of the Diamond/Al composites has been investigated. Due to the decomposition of the interfacial Al4C3 phase, the thermal conductivity and bending strength of the Diamond/Al composites without W coating were decreased 23% and 33%, respectively. However, the variation of the normalized thermal conductivity (NTC) of the Diamond/Al composites has been changed from polynomial to linear relationships after the W-coating treatment, indicating the enhancement of the thermal conductivity and the bending strength stability. Diamond/Al composite with 45 nm W coating demonstrated the best thermal and mechanical stability with slight decrement of 3% after 720 h heat-moisture treatment (HMT). Due to the decomposition of the Al4C3 phase and the corresponding weakened interfacial bonding, more “clean {111} planes” of the diamond particles were observed in the fracture surface of Diamond/Al composites without W coating after HMT. However, no significant difference was found in the fracture surface of the Diamond/Al composites with 45 nm and thicker W coatings before and after HMT. It is suggested that the continuous, stable and well bonded interfacial structure without the formation of the Al4C3 phase is the key for the improvement of the stability of the Diamond/Al composites. [Display omitted] •Effect of the W coatings on the stability of the Diamond/Al composites was studied.•The composite without W coating showed poor stability due to decomposition of Al4C3.•NTC Variation was changed from polynomial to linear relationships by W-coating.•The composite with 45 nm W coating showed the best thermal and mechanical stability.•Continuous, stable and well bonded interface is the key to improve the stability.