Process for producing a material composite, material composite and use of the material composite as a heat conductor and heat exchanger

Abstract

Processes produce a compound material structure by producing a composite material which extends along an axis of elongation from carbon nanostructures anchored in a matrix of a first metal extending along the axis of elongation of the composite material. The processes comprise dividing the composite material into segments of the composite material, arranging the segments in a plane of a die matrix, filling free spaces in the die matrix with a filler material and subsequently sintering in the die matrix to form a compound material structure or squeeze casting in the die matrix, and exposing the carbon nanostructures of the composite material on at least one surface of the compound material structure such that the carbon nanostructures protrude out of this surface. Compound material structures and uses thereof as a heat conductor and/or a heat exchanger are also provided.

1 . A process for producing a compound material structure the process comprising:
 producing a composite material extending along an axis of elongation (z) from carbon nanostructures anchored in a matrix of a first metal;   dividing the composite material into segments;   arranging the segments in at least one plane in a die matrix;   forming a compound material structure by
 filling free spaces in the die matrix with a filler material and subsequent sintering in the die matrix, or 
 squeeze casting in the die matrix; 
   exposing the carbon nanostructures out of at least one surface of the compound material structure such that the carbon nanostructures protrude out of the at least one surface of the compound material structure.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanostructures are round, layered, or fibrous carbon nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the composite material is a rod-shaped composite material and the cross-sectional surface of the rod-shaped composite material has a basic geometrical shape comprising, a circular basic geometrical shape, a trapezoidal basic geometrical shape, a rectangular basic geometrical shape, or a square basic geometrical shape or subsections of the basic geometrical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 shaping by machining; and   grinding the at least one surface from which the carbon nanostructures are to be exposed,   wherein both the shaping and grinding are carried out after the die matrix has been sintered.   
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the producing of the composite material is carried out by powder metallurgy and comprises:
 producing a homogeneous powder mixture from the first metal and the carbon nanostructures; and   sintering the homogeneous powder mixture to form a composite material; and/or   extruding the composite material.   
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanostructures are exposed over a length of 5-50 μm on the at least one surface of the compound material structure. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the first metal is copper. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the filler material has a higher thermal conductivity than the composite material. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to, wherein the filler material:
 comprises a second metal;   is copper;   is a copper-diamond composite material; or   is a copper-graphite composite material.   
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one first layer of at least one other material is introduced into the die matrix in the plane of the composite material. 
     
     
         11 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein, prior to the introduction of the segments into the die matrix, the die matrix was filled with at least one second layer of at least one other material and the segments are disposed thereon. 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one first and at least one second layers have a lower or higher thermal conductivity compared with the composite material such that one or more heat conduction pathways are formed. 
     
     
         13 . A compound material structure obtained by the process according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 conducting or exchanging heat between two surfaces via a reusable and effective interface comprising the compound material structure according to  claim 13 .   
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 6 , wherein the carbon nanostructures are exposed over a length of 10-30 μm on the at least one surface of the compound material structure.