Electrical conductivity of VGCF/aluminum composites fabricated by electro spark sintering

Vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) was sleaved in acetone with ultrasonic vibration. Then pure aluminum powders with 3 mu m in average diameter was poured into VGCF containing acetone and mixed with ultrasonic vibration. The composites were fabricated by electro spark sintering. The strength, rigidity, electrical conductivity and microstructure of the composites was investigated. VGCF was distributed uniformly and no pores was observed in composite. As increasing the volume fraction of VGCF in composites, the strength of composites increased gradually but the elongation decreased. The electrical resistivity of the composites increased as increasing VGCF content, constantly. The theoretical resistivity of composites without residual stress is lower than that of experimental results. It seems that is caused by the high dislocation density and strain introduced by big difference of thermal expansion between VGCF and pure aluminum.