Metal-matrix composites with combinations of physical and mechanical properties desirable for specific applications can be obtained by varying and controlling selected parameters in the material formation processes, particularly by increasing the microstructural homogeneity of the composite, while maintaining a constant mixture ratio or volume fraction. In one embodiment of the invention, a CuSiC composite having increased thermal conductivity is obtained by closely controlling the size of the SiC particles. In another embodiment of the invention, AlSiC composites which exhibit increased ultimate tensile and yield strengths are made by closely controlling the size of SiC and Al particles.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/295,549, filed Nov. 13, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,109, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
