Enhancement of electro-thermal and mechanical properties for Cu-SWCNT coated 6061Al

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this paper, copper based single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) composite was deposited on 6061Al using electrodeposition process. Anodisation method was applied for surface preparation of 6061Al before deposition in order to get strong adherent coating. Ammonium bi-fluoride (NH4F·HF) was added to anodised solution for the formation of highly porous structure in 6061Al surface. A stable, well dispersed and colloidal solution was achieved by addition of cationic dispersing agent (CTAB) in the SWCNT mixed copper sulphate electrolytic bath. The microstructure and composition of Cu–SWCNT composite coated surface were inspected by SEM-EDS. The electrical, thermal conductivity and micro-hardness of the Cu–SWCNT composite coated, Cu coated and uncoated 6061Al were investigated. The results show that the electrical, thermal conductivity and micro-hardness were improved by 79, 78 and 39%, respectively, for Cu–SWCNT composited coated 6061Al compared to uncoated 6061Al.