Preparation and thermal properties of metal matrix composites with wood-structure

Wood is a natural material with a rational and aesthetic structure. Recently, we introduced the structures of original wood to the metal matrix composites and succeeded in producing the Al/C and Al/(SiC + C) composites. Porous carbon was first pyrolyzed from the wood-template. The final composites were then obtained by injecting aluminum alloy and silicone resin into the porous carbon. The microstructures, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansions of these products were then analyzed. The results indicated that the structures of the composites are controlled by the natural structure of wood. Moreover, the composites exhibit a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than aluminum and a higher thermal conductivity than porous carbon.