Mechanical properties of Al matrix composite reinforced with diamond particles with W coatings prepared by the magnetron sputtering method

In the present work, the effect of W coatings prepared by the magnetron sputtering method on the mechanical performance of the Al matrix composites reinforced with diamond particles (Diamond/Al) has been explored. Since no debonding was observed between the diamond and the Al matrix in the composites with 45 nm and thicker W coatings while serious debonding was found in the composite without W coating, the interfacial bonding between the diamond particles (all the {100} and {111} facets) and the Al matrix has been improved. Further TEM observation indicated that the W coating has been well bonded with the diamond particle and the Al matrix, and no interfacial reaction product has been found. Furthermore, the fracture behaviors of the Diamond/Al composites were also affected by the W coatings. Compared to that of the Diamond/Al composite without W coating, the bending strength and the displacement of the bending failure of the Diamond/Al composites with 45 nm W coating have been improved 24% (from 245 to 304 MPa) and 120% (from 0.28 to 0.62 mm), respectively. Moreover, the summative results from the literatures and the present work indicate that the Diamond/Al composites have higher strength usually demonstrates higher thermal conductivity, which might be related to the interfacial performance of the composites. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.