VAPOR-GROWN CARBON-FIBER-REINFORCED ALUMINUM COMPOSITES WITH VERY HIGH THERMAL-CONDUCTIVITY

The first use of continuous vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) as reinforcement in aluminum metal matrix composite (Al MMC) is reported. Al MMC represents a new material for thermal management in high-power, high-density electronic devices. Due to the ultrahigh thermal conductivity of VGCF, 1950 W/m-K at room temperature, VGCF-reinforced Al MMC exhibits excellent thermal conductivity that cannot be achieved by using any other carbon fiber as reinforcement. An unprecedented high thermal conductivity of 642 W/m-K for Al MMC was obtained by using 36.5% of VGCF.