Electrical conductivity anisotropy of copper matrix composites reinforced with SiC whiskers

Abstract

Copper matrix composites reinforced with 1, 3, 5, 7 vol.% Cu-coated SiC whiskers of consistent orientation (SiCw/Cu) were prepared by powder metallurgy and hot extrusion. The microstructure of composites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The SiC whiskers were arranged along the direction of hot extrusion and distributed uniformly. The composites were fabricated into specimens with different whisker orientations, and their electrical conductivity was tested. The effects of SiC whiskers orientation and content on the electrical conductivity of composites were investigated through experiment. Results show that the SiC whiskers content was the major factor affecting the electrical conductivity of the composites. With increasing SiC whisker orientations angel, the electrical conductivity of composites is improved. The electrical conductivity model has been established by taking into account the SiC whiskers content, whisker orientation and microstructure parameters, and the results were in good agreement with experimental data.

Keywords

• copper matrix composites
• sic whiskers
• electrical conductivity anisotropy
• electrical conductivity model