%0 Journal Article
%A Barcena, J.
%A Garcia de Cortazar, M.
%A Seddon, R.
%A Lloyd, J. C.
%A Torregaray, A.
%A Coleto, J.
%T Effect of the incorporation of interfacial elements on the thermophysical properties of Cu/VGCNFs composites
%D 2010
%@ 0266-3538
%X Vapour grown carbon nanofibres exhibit high mechanical properties and thermal conductivities. Therefore they are potential reinforcements in composites materials for high strength and high thermal conductivity applications. A problem not yet solved is the promotion of an improved copper/carbon interface. Several strategies have been envisaged for the incorporation of alloying elements (Ni, Co, B and Ti) at the interface. These techniques are based on duplex electroless plating coatings (combination of Cu and Ni or Cu and Co), electroless plating of alloys (Cu-B) and addition of metal nanoparticles (Ti) to Cu matrix deposited by electroless plating. The effect of the incorporation of these metallic elements on the microstructure and thermophysical properties is discussed. B and Ti lead to higher interaction at the Cu/C interface over Ni and Co. This allows the reduction of the coefficient of thermal expansion but regarding the thermal conductivity it was not possible to obtain a value higher than that of copper.
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