Thermal expansions and mechanical properties of Al/C and Al/(SiC+C) composites based on wood templates

Abstract

Wood is a natural material with a rational and aesthetic structure. Recently, we have succeeded in using wood as a template to produce Al/C and Al/(SiC+C) composites. Porous carbon was first pyrolyzed from the wood template. The final composites were then obtained by injecting aluminum alloy and silicone resin into the porous carbon. The microstructures, thermal expansions, and mechanical properties of these products were then analyzed. The results indicated that the structures of the composites are controlled by the natural structure of wood. Moreover, the composites exhibit a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than aluminum and are stronger than the porous carbon. © 2006 The Japan Institute of Metals.