Effect of Reinforcement Volume Ratio on Thermal Conductivity of SiO2 Reinforced Al Matrix Composite Produced by Vacuum Infiltration Method

Abstract

In this study, SiO₂ powders with 105 μm particle size were filled in

quartz tubes freely to form 30, 40, 50 % reinforcement volume ratios.

Liquid Al7075 alloy was vacuum infiltrated into the SiO₂ compact under

the same vacuum condition, the same time and at the same temperature

in normal atmosphere for 3 min. After vacuuming, infiltration height

and density of product composite have been determined. Microstructures

of composites were investigated by SEM analysis. Two methods, finite

element analysis method and experimental method, were used to determine

thermal conductivity. The results of these methods were evaluated

and compared. It has been found that the values of two different methods

were quite near each other and thermal conductivity of composite increased

with decreasing reinforcement volume ratio.