Ceramic-metal composites are an exciting field of research, enabling a combination of properties not possible in monolithic metals or ceramics. Alumina-copper composites enable the high thermal and electrical conductivity and the high toughness of copper to be combined with the high stiffness, hardness and wear resistance of alumina [1]. This combination of properties possible makes alumina-copper composites particularly interesting for wear applications. The aim of this project was to produce and characterise copper-alumina interpenetrating composites, in particular, the effect of microstructure on the properties. The range of copper content was 15 to 55 % and the range in copper ligament diameter 1 to 30 μm. The composite was produced by first making porous alumina preforms with a range of porosities and pore sizes, then infiltrating with copper. The effects of copper ligament diameter and copper content on the mechanical and thermal properties as well as wear behaviour were investigated. Based on the microstructure-property relationships, the most promising composition and microstructure combination was found.

Darmstadt, TU, Diss., 2011