Excellent mechanical properties of copper-graphite composites with the addition of tantalum alloying element

In this study, the effect of novel metal tantalum was investigated on the properties of copper-graphite composites. The complete mechanical behavior of copper-tantalum-graphite hybrid composites was examined. The addition of tantalum increased the compressive, tensile and bending strength of composites as well as the hardness and thermal conductivity. The compression, tensile, bending and hardness values for Cu–Ta-GF (0.5) composites are 20.7%, 138%, 69% and 93% higher than pure Cu and these are also far better than Cu-GF composites. The excellent mechanical and thermal properties with good relation of strength-ductility ratio open up a new window to use these materials as heat sinks in thermal packaging system.