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| Microstructure and properties of novel graphite flakes/6061Al matrix composites with three-dimensional Al frame |
| PENG Ziyue1, LIU Junfu2,3, NIE Qiangqaing2,3, TANG Wenming1,3 |
1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; 2. 43 Institute, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, Hefei 230088, China; 3. Anhui Key Laboratory of Microsystem, Hefei 230088, China |
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Abstract Aiming at the key issues of graphite flakes (GFs)/Al matrix composites, i.e., significant anisotropy and poor through-plane thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, in this study, a three-dimensional aluminum foam (Alf) was introduced to fabricate the GFs/6061Alf matrix composites via spark plasma sintering. Their microstructure and properties were also investigated, compared with those of the conventional GFs/6061Al matrix composites. The results demonstrate that the GFs/6061Alf matrix and GFs/6061Al matrix composites sintered at 610 ℃ are both dense, and no interfacial reaction product Al4C3 is detected. With the increase of the GFs content, the relative density, through-plane thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, bending strength, and bending strain of the composites all decrease, however, the in-plane thermal conductivity of the composites gradually increases. In the GFs/6061Alf matrix composites, the Alf has a 3D continuous structure, which is beneficial to the improvement of plasticity. Meanwhile, the GFs are sealed in each small pocket of the Alf, resulting in lower distribution orientation degree of GFs, and thus enhancement of through-plane thermal conductivity of the composites. The through-plane thermal conductivity and bending strain of the GFs/6061Alf matrix composite with a 45% GFs volume fraction are 38 W/(m·K) and 4.4%, 23% and 100% higher than those of the GFs/6061Al matrix composite, respectively. This strategy has apparent advantages in reducing anisotropy and brittleness of the GFs/Al matrix composites.
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Received: 14 January 2026
Published: 07 May 2026
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