Microstructure and interfacial characteristics of aluminium–diamond composite materials

• DOI: 10.1016/j.diamond.2003.11.095
• Publication Date: 2004-03-20T16:11:47Z
• Authors: F.A. Khalid; O. Beffort; U.E. Klotz; B.A. Keller; P. Gasser
• Keywords: Agglomerate; Amorphous carbon; Carbon fibers

Abstract This work reports about microstructure, morphology and interfacial characteristics of aluminium-based composites reinforced with micro- and nano-sized diamond particles. Composite samples were produced by pressurized liquid metal infiltration (squeeze casting) of tap-packed diamond powders, and studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The micro-sized diamond particles were observed to be homogeneously dispersed and well bonded in the Al-matrix. However, the nano-sized diamond particles principally appear as large agglomerates in the Al-matrix, even though individual nano-sized diamonds are found to be finely dispersed in the Al-matrix too. The Al–diamond interface is generally clean, i.e. devoid of reaction products. However, an interfacial amorphous disordered carbon layer is occasionally observed, and in the composite with the nano-sized diamonds aluminium carbide phases (Al 4 C 3 ) are randomly formed.