THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF CONTINUOUS CARBON FIBRE REINFORCED COPPER MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

The paper deals with thermal conductivity of the continuous carbon fibre reinforced - copper matrix composite that can be applied in the field of electric and electronic industry as a heat sink material. The copper matrix - carbon fibre composite with different fibre orientation and fibre content was produced by diffusion bonding of copper-coated carbon fibres. Laser flash technique was used for thermal conductivity characterisation in direction parallel and transverse to fibre orientation. The results revealed decreasing thermal conductivity as the volume content of fibre increased and independence of through thickness conductivity on fibre orientation. Achieved results were compared with the materials that are currently used as heat sinks and possibility of the copper-based composite application was analysed.