Interfacial nano engineering in Al/diamond composites for thermal management by in situ diamond surface gas desorption
Abstract The manuscript shows that nano engineering the surface of diamond particles prior contacting the liquid metal strongly enhances the Thermal Conductivity (TC) of Al/diamond composites. Composites were fabricated by gas pressure infiltration within a two step engineering procedure: i) diamond surface was in situ subjected to gas desorption by annealing at 760 degC or 850 degC, and, ii) the contact time between liquid metal and diamond was strictly controlled. The synergic action of surface modification and controlled processing conditions allows an outstanding increasing of TC from 422 W/mK to 734 W/mK (around 42% of increment) in composites fabricated with medium quality diamond particles.