Fabrication of the Ag-coated Invar/Cu bimetal matrix composites through spark plasma sintering: An investigation on microstructure and properties

作者：Nie, Qiangqiang; Wang, Bin; Zhang, Jianhua; Tang, Wenming^*

来源：Materials Letters, 2022, 321: 132440.

DOI：10.1016/j.matlet.2022.132440

• Invar/Cu composite
• Ag coating
• Spark plasma sintering
• Microstructure
• Thermal conductivity

Cu matrix composites reinforced with 50 wt% Ag-coated Invar (Ag(Invar)) powder were prepared by spark plasma sintering at temperatures of 700 degrees C and 750 degrees C. Effects of the Ag coating and sintering temperature on microstructure and performance of the Ag(Invar)/Cu composites were studied. The results indicated that the Ag coating could promote densification of the composites, restrain the Invar/Cu interface diffusion, and therefore enhance tensile strength and thermal conduction of the composites. For the composites sintered at 750 degrees C, the density and interface bonding increase, however the Ag coating dissolves, bringing about the increase of strength, but the reduction of thermal conduction of the composites. The 50 wt% Ag(Invar)/Cu composite sintered at 700 degrees C has the maximum thermal conductivity (151.6 W/(m.K)) than the others of the same compositions reported so far.