Received 9 April 2011; revised 12 June 2011; Accepted 19 August 2011. Available online 25 August 2011.
Abstract
Carbon fibers were coated with titanium by vacuum slow vapor deposition. W–20Cu composite powder was prepared by spray drying and calcining-continuous reduction technology. Titanium coated carbon fibers and W–20Cu composite powder were mixed by ball-milling in ethanol solution. This paper adopted spark plasma sintering process to prepare titanium coated carbon fibers/W–20Cu composites. Effects of doping amounts of titanium coated carbon fibers on the phases, microstructure and properties of the composites were investigated. Titanium coated carbon fibers/W–20Cu composites with improved mechanical properties and thermal conductivity were fabricated. Transverse rupture strength and thermal conductivity of the 1.0 wt.% titanium-coated carbon fibers/W–20Cu composites, compared with the monolithic W–20Cu alloy, were enhanced 33% and 36%, respectively. With small doping amount of titanium-coated carbon fibers, the composites without WC, W2C and graphite phases were obtained.
Graphical abstract
Highlights
► This paper adopted SPS process to prepare the Ti-coated CFs/W–20Cu composites. ► With small amount of Ti-coated CFs, composites without impurities were obtained. ► 1.0 wt.% Ti-coated CFs were homogeneously dispersed in the W–20Cu alloy. ► TRS and TC of the composites were enhanced 33% and 36%, respectively.
