Fabrication and Electrical Conductivity of Vapor Grown Carbon Fiber Reinforced Aluminum Composites

Abstract

Vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) reinforced aluminum matrix composites were fabricated by spark sintering processes. VGCFs in composites became to be dispersed uniformly in the aluminum matrix by decreasing a diameter of aluminum powder. The electrical conductivity of composites was reduced remarkably compared with monolithic aluminum block. On the other hand, the electrical conductivity of the composites was slightly reduced with increasing a diameter of aluminum particle. Meanwhile, the experimental electrical conductivity of VGCF/Al composites was lower than the theoretical one calculated by Chang’s and Fan’s models, which is caused by the strain fields containing larger residual stress in aluminum matrix around VGCF.