Highly conductive and strengthened copper matrix composite reinforced by Zr2Al3C4 particulates

A new copper matrix composite reinforced with Zr2Al3C4 particulates was successfully fabricated by powder metallurgy method. In the whole reinforcing range, Cu/Zr2Al3C4 composite possesses comparable electrical conductivity and better mechanical properties than those of Cu/graphite composite, which was widely accepted as the electro-contacting material. The high conductivity was attributed to the formation of a continuous copper network in the composite, while the high strength and modulus of Zr2Al3C4 ceramic led to a notable improvement in the mechanical properties of the composite.