Effects of Graphite Shape and Composite Fabricating Method on Mechanical Properties of Graphite/Copper Composites

To study the effects of graphite shape and the composite fabricating method on the mechanical properties of graphite/copper (Gr/Cu) composites, a copper composite using graphite flakes or graphite granules as reinforcing phases is fabricated using mechanical mixing or electroless plating method. The mechanical properties of the Gr/Cu composites are evaluated by compression tests, and the compressive strength and elongation of the Gr/Cu composites using graphite granules as a reinforcing phase are compared with those of Cu composites with graphite flakes as a reinforcing phase. The compressive yield strength or maximum strength of the Gr/Cu composites with graphite granules as a reinforcing phase is higher than that of the composites using graphite flakes as a reinforcing phase regardless of the alignment of graphite. The strength of the composite produced by the electroless plating method is higher than that of the composite material produced by the conventional mechanical mixing method regardless of the shape of the graphite. Using graphite granules as a reinforcing phase instead of graphite flakes improves the strength and elongation of the Gr/Cu composites in all directions, and reduces the difference in strength or elongation according to the direction.