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Microstructure evolution of Zr2Al3C4 in Cu matrix

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Abstract

Interfacial reaction and microstructure evolution in a Zr2Al3C4 reinforced Cu composite were studied by x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Decomposition of Zr2Al3C4 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 Zr2Al3C4 grains. In the later reaction stage, all Al atoms depleted from Zr2Al3C4 and were dissolute into the Cu matrix. The final reaction products were a Cu-Al solid solution, ZrCo.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/Zr2Al3C4-based particle-reinforced Cu composites for optimized mechanical and electrical properties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China

    J. Y. Wang & Y. C. Zhou

  2. Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China

    J. Zhang

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Zhang, J., Wang, J.Y. & Zhou, Y.C. Microstructure evolution of Zr2Al3C4 in Cu matrix. Journal of Materials Research 26, 372–383 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2010.52

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