Preparation and Mechanical Properties of Copper Matrix Composites Reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes and Al2O3

Abstract

CNTs/Cu‐Al2O3 composites are successfully prepared by internal oxidation, chemical vapor deposition and spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. The influence of Al content (0.12 and 0.6 wt%) on the morphology of grown carbon nanotubes and the mechanical properties of composites are systematically studied. The results show that under the same growth process, more carbon nanotubes are obtained on the surface of the powders with 0.6 wt% Al content. The CNTs/Cu‐Al2O3 composites with 0.12 wt% Al content displays higher mechanical properties, the tensile strength is 280 MPa, and the micro‐hardness is 123.3 HV, which is increased by 40.7 and 78.2% in contrast with that of pure copper, respectively. Moreover, the electrical conductivity of CNTs/Cu‐Al2O3 (Al content is 0.12 wt%) composites is still at the high level of 83.2% IACS. This work uses chemical vapor deposition to improve the dispersion and interfacial bonding of CNTs in the matrix and increase the properties of the composites, which provides a new idea for the preparation of high strength metal matrix composites.