材料期刊网

Interfacial reaction and microstructure evolution in a Zr(2)Al(3)C(4) reinforced Cu composite were studied by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Decomposition of Zr(2)Al(3)C(4) was triggered by the deintercalation of Al atoms. In the initial reaction stage, depletion of Al occurred locally. ZrC and Cu platelets as well as thin twinned ZrC slices were observed inside the Zr(2)Al(3)C(4) grains. In the later reaction stage, all Al atoms depleted from Zr(2)Al(3)C(4) and were dissolute into the Cu matrix. The final reaction products were a Cu-Al solid solution, ZrC(0.5), and highly disordered graphite, which resulted in large volume shrinkage. These experimental results provided a baseline for controlling interfacial reaction and microstructure development in Cu/Zr(2)Al(3)C(4)-based particle-reinforced Cu composites for optimized mechanical and electrical properties.