Cu-MMC

Copper is of great industrial relevance due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity. Its low hardness and strength can be improved by copper MMCs (metal matrix composites). Copper-diamond MMCs, for example, have excellent physical and mechanical properties, but are expensive. Alternatively, copper MMCs reinforced with cubic boron nitride (cBN) offer similar properties at a lower cost.
However, the increased hardness and strength of these MMCs also means greater wear during machining. For a more efficient industrial use of cBN copper MMCs, additive processing of the material is an option.
The research project is investigating how cBN-reinforced copper filaments can be processed using the metal FDM process. The focus is not only on their processability, but also on the material properties that can be achieved. At the end of the project, the aim is to develop a new type of material that can be additively processed and with which at least the thermal conductivity of pure copper can be achieved with improved mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength.