Aluminum/diamond composites: A preparative method to characterize reactivity and selectivity at the interface

Reactivity at the interface in aluminum/diamond composites, which are excellent candidates for thermal management, has been identified to be determinant of their final properties. In this contribution a new preparative method consisting of electrochemical etching of the metal and spray cleaning, allows microstructural characterization of the interface. This methodology preserves interfacial reaction products and highlights the importance of a proper analysis of both fabrication parameters and sample preparation before any conclusion on reactive selectivity at the interface can be reached.