Preparation and Microstructure of C/Al-40%Cu Composite by In-situ Pyrolysis and Hot-Pressing Method

With polyvinyl butyral as carbon source,C/Al-40%Cu (volume fraction) composite was prepared by in-situ pyrolysis and hot-pressing method. The phase composition, microstructure and interface reaction characteristics of the composite were studied. The results show that the composite was mainly composed of aluminum phase, copper phase, in-situ produced carbon materials and few residual polymers. The carbon materials continuously existed between aluminum and copper grains, effectively inhibiting the generation of Al₂Cu and Al₄Cu₉ intermetallic compounds. The measured density of the composite was close to the theoretical density, and no obvious pores were observed in the structure, indicating a relatively high densification degree. The interfaces of the composite were well bonded. The elemental interdiffusion occured between the aluminum phase and the copper phase, and between the aluminum phase and the carbon material layer, forming diffusion layers with thicknesses of 2.0-3.5 μm and 1.0-1.5 μm, respectively. The copper phase and the carbon material layer were bonded mechanically.