The Structural Effect of SiC Form Ceramic on the Compressive Strength and Thermal Expansion Properties of Cu–SiC Composites

With the development of transportation vehicles towards to the direction of heavy load and high speed, the requirement of Cu matrix brake materials was proposed for improving performance in both mechanical and thermal properties. The Cu-SiCf composites is a new kind of friction brake material. To investigate the structural effect of 3D network structured SiC form ceramic on the compressive strength and thermal expansion properties of Cu-SiCf composites, SiCf was synthesized using a template method in conjunction with reaction sintering, while Cu-SiCf composites were prepared using squeeze casting, and exhibiting a co-continuous phase structure. The results reveal that SiC form ceramic reinforcement and constraint mechanisms enhance the overall strength of the Cu alloy through the 3D network structure. SiC form ceramic plays a role in load transfer and overall strengthening of the Cu alloy. With the synergistic effects of these mechanisms, increasing the SiC form ceramic volume fraction improves the compressive strength and reduces the coefficient of thermal expansion of the Cu-SiCf composites.