A composite material and a base plate made of this composite material for
mounting electrical components and for connecting these components to a
cooling device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the composite material
includes a matrix material and fibers embedded therein. The fibers have
in this case an anisotropic, directionally optimized distribution in the
matrix material, so that heat occurring in a locally confined area can be
effectively distributed and dissipated. The material of the fibers
includes SiC, highly graphitized carbon or diamond. The fibers are
arranged in the matrix material in various fiber levels, the fibers in
the upper fiber levels being oriented predominantly horizontally in
relation to a reference area and the fibers in the lower fiber levels
being oriented predominantly vertically in relation to the reference
area.