Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and thermophysical properties of diamond/2024 Al composites

50% diamond particle (5 μm) reinforced 2024 aluminum matrix (diamond/2024 Al) composites were prepared by pressure infiltration method. Diamond particles were distributed uniformly without any particle clustering, and no apparent porosities or significant casting defects were observed in the composites. The diamond-Al interfaces of as-cast and annealed diamond/2024 Al composites were clean, smooth and free from interfacial reaction product. However, a large number of Al2Cu precipitates were found at diamond-Al interface after aging treatment. Moreover, needle-shaped Al2MgCu precipitates in Al matrix were observed after aging treatment. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of diamond/2024 Al composites was about 8.5×10−6 °C−1 between 20 and 100 °C, which was compatible with that with chip materials. Annealing treatment showed little effect on thermal expansion behavior, and aging treatment could further decrease the CTE of the composites. The thermal conductivity of obtained diamond/ 2024 Al composites was about 100 W/(m·K), and it was slightly increased after annealing while decreased after aging treatment.