Manufacture and use of ZrB2 /Cu or TiB2 /Cu composite electrodes

Abstract

The invention relates to ZrB2 /Cu composites, and more specifically to methods of making ZrB2 /Cu composite electrodes and methods of using ZrB2 /Cu composite electrodes. ZrB2 powder is contacted with a polymer and shaped to a desired form. The polymer is vaporized and the ZrB/2 powder is sintered. The sintered ZrB2 is contacted with Cu and heated above the melting point of Cu which causes the Cu to infiltrate the ZrB2, forming the ZrB2 /Cu composite electrode.