Abstract: In one aspect, embodiments are provided of metal coated fillers that include porous filler particles having pores and metal particles coated on the filler particles and inside the pores. In an exemplary embodiment, the weight of metal particles on the porous filler particles and inside the pores may range from 100 percent to 400 percent of the weight of the porous filler particles. The porous filler particles may have a porosity from 30 percent to 99 percent.

Abstract: A method relating to making a metal coated filler includes mixing a solution of an organic diol with a plurality of porous filler particles to obtain a support mixture; contacting a metal salt solution with the support mixture forming a reaction mixture; and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature within a temperature range from about 50 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius. The metal cations in the metal salt solution are reduced to metal particles by the organic diol and are disposed on the porous filler particles and on filler particle pore surfaces. The metal coated filler may then be optionally isolated. Electrically and/or thermally conductive articles including the metal coated fillers and methods for their manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a composite includes combining a strengthening agent and an aluminum compound to form a first solution; precipitating an Al(OH)3 gel from the first solution, wherein strengthening agent particles are dispersed within the gel; washing the Al(OH)3 gel with an alcohol; contacting the Al(OH)3 gel with a salt; drying the Al(OH)3 gel to form a powder; calcining the powder to convert Al(OH)3 to Al2O3; and sintering the powder to form a composite article comprising beta double prime alumina.

Abstract: A method relating to making a metal coated filler includes mixing a solution of an organic diol with a plurality of porous filler particles to obtain a support mixture; contacting a metal salt solution with the support mixture forming a reaction mixture; and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature within a temperature range from about 50 degrees Celsius to about 200 degrees Celsius. The metal cations in the metal salt solution are reduced to metal particles by the organic diol and are disposed on the porous filler particles and on filler particle pore surfaces. The metal coated filler may then be optionally isolated. Electrically and/or thermally conductive articles including the metal coated fillers and methods for their manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a composite includes combining a strengthening agent and an aluminum compound to form a first solution; precipitating an Al(OH)3 gel from the first solution, wherein strengthening agent particles are dispersed within the gel; washing the Al(OH)3 gel with an alcohol; contacting the Al(OH)3 gel with a salt; drying the Al(OH)3 gel to form a powder; calcining the powder to convert Al(OH)3 to Al2O3; and sintering the powder to form a composite article comprising beta double prime alumina.