The thermal conductivity of particulate-reinforced aluminum composite materials

The relation of the effective thermal conductivity of particulate-reinforced aluminum composite materials with the kind, size, volume fraction, and distribution of particles in the composites was investigated. The specimens were made from alloy (LD2) foil and particulates of SiC and AL2O3 by hot pressing at 580 C. The thermal conductivity of specimens with different volume percentage of particles have been measured. The measured thermal conductivity of specimens was compared with that calculated from the equation deduced with the aid of a mixed thermoresistance model. A new equation, used to calculate the thermal conductivity of the particulate-reinfored aluminum composite materials, was developed. In this equation the influence of the kind, volume fraction, size of particulates, and particulate distribution in the matrix on the thermal conductivity of the composites was comprehensively taken into account. 5 refs.