Abstract
Because of the dilemma that the current industrial Cu enhancement methods lead to a significant decline in conductivity and ductility, Cu matrix composites reinforced by oriented multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared through sintering, hot extrusion, and cold drawing. Before sintering, Ni, Cu, and Ni&Cu coatings were electroless plated on MWCNTs as the intermediate transition layer, and then they were mixed with Cu powder through a nitrogen bubbling assisted ultrasonic process. By analyzing the composition, microstructure, and formation mechanism of the interface between MWCNTs and the matrix, the influence and mechanism of the interface on the mechanical properties, conductivity, and ductility of the composites were explored. The results indicated that MWCNTs maintained a highly dispersed and highly consistent orientation in the Cu matrix. The coating on Ni@CNT was the densest, continuous, and complete. The Ni@CNTs/Cu composite had the greatest effect, while the Cu composite reinforced by MWCNT without coating had the smallest reduction in elongation and conductivity. The comprehensive performance of the Cu@CNTs/Cu composite was the most balanced, with an ultimate tensile strength that reached 373 MPa, while the ductility and conductivity were not excessively reduced. The axial electrical and thermal conductivity were 79.9 IACS % (International Annealed Copper Standard) and 376 W/mK, respectively.
Highlights
The results demonstrated that high shear strain could induce the preferential dispersion and reorientation of randomly oriented Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) along shear flow lines, HRDSR could not control the arrangement of CNTs in the rolling plane
The coating on Cu@CNT and Ni&Cu@CNT was loose and uneven, and there were uncoated parts on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (Figure 2c). This is because Ni has self-catalytic activity for electroless plating, which can effectively be replaced with Pd catalyst particles that adhere to MWCNTs and reduce and deposit on MWCNTs
The results of this study showed that the tensile strength of composites from high to low was the Ni@CNTs/Cu composite, Ni&Cu@CNTs/Cu composite, Cu@CNTs/Cu composite, and B-CNTs/Cu composite
Summary
With the rapid development of highspeed electric railways, lightweight automobile body manufacturing, new MEMS/NEMS (micro- or nanoelectromechanical system), and other fields in recent years, more stringent performance requirements have been put forward for key parts These key parts include a high-speed railway electric contact line, resistance spot welding electrode for galvanized steel sheets, heat sink parts, and thermoelectric devices. Their conductive contact area is greatly decreased, the current density is greatly increased, and the heat emission condition deteriorates rapidly, which results in a significant decline in the stability of material parts.
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