Influence of the surface-modification of diamonds on the thermal conductivity in metal-diamond-composites

Abstract

Al- and Ag-alloys were used as matrices in diamond composites. The diamonds were surface terminated by different means in order to influence the interfacial thermal conductance positively. The composites were fabricated by gas preessure assisted liquid metal infiltration, subsequently the ambient thermal conductivity was determined. Accomplishing measurements by AFM and wetting behaviour were performed on diamond monocrystals. It was possible to show, that the ambient thermal conductivity strongly depends on the alloying element concentration, the diamond particle size, heat treatment operation and the type of surface modifiaction of the diamonds.