Inelastic response of a woven carbon/copper composite, part I: Experimental characterization

This paper presents the results of an extensive mechanical characterization of a new woven metal matrix composite, namely 8-harness (8H) satin carbon/ copper (C/Cu). While woven polymer matrix composites have existed for some time, woven metal matrix composites such as C/Cu are now being developed fo r the first time. Due to the high thermal conductivity of the copper matrix , this material system is a good candidate for high heat flux applications such as those associated with space power radiator panels and computer chip casings. The mechanical characterization of the 8H satin C/Cu composite wa s carried out using monotonic and cyclic tension, compression, and Iosipesc u shear tests, as well as combined tension-compression tests. Experiments i nvolving applied compression were performed using a novel gripping apparatu s not previously described in the open literature. Specimens containing sma ll amounts of chromium and titanium in the copper matrix, in addition to sp ecimens with pure copper matrix, were tested in order to investigate the ef fect of these alloying elements on the mechanical response. Previous data f rom thermal expansion and mechanical tests on unidirectional C/Cu composite s suggested that the addition of small amounts of these alloying elements t o the copper matrix improved the fiber/matrix bond. In addition to the mono tonic and cyclic stress-strain response generated using the three types of mechanical tests, a summary of initial moduli, yield stress, and ultimate s trength data for this novel woven metal matrix composite is provided and co ntrasted with the corresponding pure copper data. Further, the presented re sults provide a basis for validating a new micromechanical model developed by the authors for woven metal matrix composites which is the subject of Pa rts II and III of this paper.