Thermal conduction properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with dual-sized particles

By squeeze casting technology, industrial pure aluminum L2, LD11 (Al-12%Si) and AlSi20 (Al-(18-21)%Si) alloys were reinforced with SiC particles of 20 μm and 60 μm. And their thermal conduction properties were investigated. On the basis of equal specific interfacial areas, an equivalent particle diameter is brought forward and the thermal conductivity of dual-sized particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites is calculated. The SiC_p/Al composites possess relatively excellent thermal properties, and the thermal conductivities of LD11 and A1S120 matrix composites are larger than those of matrices. This is attributed to the fact that the equivalent particle diameter of SiC is larger than its critical diameter and the thermal conductivity of SiC is higher than those of LD11 and Al-Si20. But the thermal conductivities of SiC_p/Al composites decrease with the increase of Si additions to the matrix.