Carbon fibres/graphite/copper composites are prepared by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering at different temperature in this study, and the microstructure evolution is investigated during sintering. The curves of punch displacement, mould temperature, furnace chamber vacuum, and voltage against time were recorded and discussed. The results show that the carbon fibre/graphite/copper composite presents neat and pure interface. Copper element is found in carbon fibres and graphite, which may be due to discharge. The microhardness of the obtained composites is up to 160 HV. The highest relative density in this test is 96.5%. The microstructure evolution process during SPS is associated with sparking, joule heat, pressure, and deformation. The sintering process is uneven at initial stage.
SaumsDL, HayRA.Developments for Copper-Graphite Composite Thermal Cores for PCBs for High-Reliability RF Systems. 8th International Conference on Integrated Power Systems (CIPS); 2014 Feb 25-27; Nuremberg. Berlin: VDE Verlag.
2.
MazloumA, KováčikJ, EmmerŠ, Copper–graphite composites: thermal expansion, thermal and electrical conductivities, and cross-property connections. J Mater Sci. 2016;51:7977–7990. doi: 10.1007/s10853-016-0067-5
3.
HeDH, ManoryR, SinkisH.A sliding wear tester for overhead wires and current collectors in light rail systems. Wear. 2000;239:10–20. doi: 10.1016/S0043-1648(99)00365-8
4.
BernerA, FuksD, EllisDE, Formation of nano-crystalline structure at the interface in Cu-C composite. Appl Surf Sci. 1999;144–145:677–681. doi: 10.1016/S0169-4332(98)00897-6
5.
OmoriM.Sintering, consolidation, reaction and crystal growth by the spark plasma system (SPS). Materials Science and Engineering: A. 2000;287:183–188. doi: 10.1016/S0921-5093(00)00773-5
ZunigaA, AjdelsztajnL, LaverniaEJ.Spark plasma sintering of a nanocrystalline Al–Cu–Mg–Fe–Ni–Sc alloy. Metallur Mater Trans A. 2006;37:1343–1352. doi: 10.1007/s11661-006-1086-7
8.
YeJ, AjdelsztajnL, SchoenungJM.Bulk nanocrystalline aluminum 5083 alloy fabricated by a novel technique: cryomilling and spark plasma sintering. Metallur Mater Trans A. 2006;37:2569–2579. doi: 10.1007/BF02586229
9.
ElsayedA, LiW, El KadyOA, Experimental investigations on the synthesis of W–Cu nanocomposite through spark plasma sintering. J Alloys Compd. 2015;639:373–380. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2015.03.183
10.
ZhangH, HeX, ShenX, Discontinuous graphite fiber/Cu composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Mater Sci Eng Powder Metallur. 2012;17:339–344. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.11.078
11.
LiuXR, LiuYB, SunY, Fabrication of C/Cu composites by mechanical activation and spark plasma sintering. Adv Mat Res. 2012;499:223–226. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.499.223
12.
GuoX, ZhouZ.Densification of C/Cu composite powders prepared by high-energy ball milling. Automob Technol Mater. 2005;12:19–21.
13.
DioufS, MolinariA.Densification mechanisms in spark plasma sintering: effect of particle size and pressure. Powder Technol. 2012;221:220–227. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2012.01.005
14.
SongX, LiuX, ZhangJ.Neck formation and self-adjusting mechanism of neck growth of conducting powders in spark plasma sintering. J Amer Ceram Soc. 2006;89:494–500. doi: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00777.x
15.
XiongY, LiuD, LiY, Spark plasma sintering of cryomilled nanocrystalline Al alloy – part I: microstructure evolution. Metallur Mater Trans A. 2012;43:327–339. doi: 10.1007/s11661-011-0933-3
16.
LaletG, KuritaH, MiyazakiT, Microstructure of a carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum matrix composite fabricated by spark plasma sintering in various pulse conditions. J Mater Sci. 2014;49:3268–3275. doi: 10.1007/s10853-014-8032-7
17.
GuiderdoniC, EstournèsC, PeigneyA, The preparation of double-walled carbon nanotube/Cu composites by spark plasma sintering, and their hardness and friction properties. Carbon N Y. 2011;49:4535–4543. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2011.06.063
18.
UllbrandJM, CórdobaJM, Tamayo-AriztondoJ, Thermomechanical properties of copper–carbon nanofibre composites prepared by spark plasma sintering and hot pressing. Compos Sci Technol. 2010;70:2263–2268. doi: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.08.016
19.
SajiS, KadokuraT, AnadaH, Solid solubility of carbon copper during mechanical alloying. Mater Trans. 1998;39:778–781. doi: 10.2320/matertrans1989.39.778
20.
GuoS.Powder sintering theory. Beijing: Metallurgy Industry Press; 2002.
21.
SongX, LiuX, ZhangJ.Formation of neck during spark plasma sintering. J Funct Mater. 2004;35:3037–3039.
22.
ZhangD.Investigation on sintering mechanism of ceramic material by pulse current. Wuhan: Wuhan University of Technology; 2002.
23.
WangS, WuX, Research situation and development of the partial discharge uhf detection system calibration method high-voltage electrical apparatus. High Volt Appar. 2007;43:59–64.
24.
YanZ, ZhuD.High-voltage insulation technique. Beijing: Electric Power Press; 2002.
25.
BhallaMS, CraggsJD.Measurement of ionization and attachment coefficients in SF6 in uniforna fields. Proc Phys Soc. 1962;80:151–160.
26.
DioufS, MenapaceC, MolinariA.Study of the effect of particle size on densification of copper during spark plasma sintering. Powder Metallur. 2012;55:228–234. doi: 10.1179/1743290111Y.0000000019
