High thermal conductivity through interfacial layer optimization in diamond particles dispersed Zr-alloyed Cu matrix composites

Diamond particles dispersed Zr-alloyed Cu matrix composites were produced by a gas pressure infiltration route. The thermal conductivity first increased and then decreased with increasing Zr content in the range of 0.0-1.0 wt.%, yielding a maximum thermal conductivity of 930 W/mK at 0.5 wt.% Zr. The high thermal conductivity is attributed to the optimized thickness of interfacial ZrC layer formed between Cu and diamond. The interfacial layer thickness is crucial to the thermal conductivity enhancement in the Cu/diamond composites. (C) 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.