Thermal conductivity improvement of copper–carbon fiber composite by addition of an insulator: calcium hydroxide

The effects of adding calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 ) to a copper–CF (30 %) composite (Cu–CF(30 %)) were studied. After sintering at 700 °C, precipitates of calcium oxide (CaO) were included in the copper matrix. When less than 10 % of Ca(OH) 2 was added, the thermal conductivity was similar to or higher than the reference composite Cu–CF(30 %). A thermal conductivity of 322 W m −1 K −1 was measured for the Cu–Ca(OH) 2 (3 %)–CF(30 %) composite. The effects of heat treatment (400, 600, and 1000 °C during 24 h) on the composite Cu–Ca(OH) 2 (3 %)–CF(30 %) were studied. At the lower annealing temperature, CaO inside the matrix migrated to the interface of the copper matrix and the CF. At 1000 °C, the formation of the interphase calcium carbide (CaC 2 ) at the interface of the copper and CFs was highlighted by TEM observations. Carbide formation at the interface led to a decrease in both thermal conductivity (around 270 W m −1 K −1 ) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE (10.1 × 10 −6 K −1 )).