Effect of Mo content on the properties of graphite–MoC composites sintered by spark plasma sintering

Graphite–molybdenum–titanium powders prepared by colloidal processing technique were sintered by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). This material is proposed in this manuscript due to its potential interest as heat sink. The influence of the molybdenum content (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 vol.%) on the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of the composite are studied to define the composite with the best properties. Thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of the composite graphite–10 vol.% Mo–1 vol.% Ti (that are composites of graphite with molybdenum and titanium carbides after sintering) are significantly better than those of the composites with lower molybdenum contents (2.5 vol.% and 5 vol.%). This way, flexural strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity are 1.5, 7.8 and 18 times greater, respectively, than in the composite graphite–2.5 vol.% Mo–1 vol.% Ti. In the case of comparing with the composite graphite–5 vol.% Mo–1 vol.% Ti, flexural strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity are 1.2, 5.1 and 3.2 greater in the composite graphite–10 vol.% Mo–1 vol.% Ti, respectively.