Effect of carbon nano-tubes and dispersions of SiC and Al2O3 on the mechanical and physical properties of copper-nickel alloy

Abstract

This paper investigates the mechanical and physical properties of Cu-Ni alloy (at 50-50 wt. %), mixed with different reinforcement materials such as carbon nanotubes CNT (0.5–2 wt. %) as nano particles, Al2O3 (1–4 wt. %) and SiC (1–4 wt. %) as microparticles. The obtained composite specimens characteristics were evaluated such as microstructure, density, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, hardness, and compression properties to determine the suitable reinforcement percentage that has the best physical and mechanical properties. The micron-sized Al2O3 and SiC and nano-sized CNT were added to enhance the mechanical and physical properties of the composite. The hardness and compression yield stress of Cu-Ni base composites have shown the most positive enhancement values of up to 135 % and 136 % of the matrix, respectively.