Electrical and mechanical properties of Cu-CNT nanocomposites sintered by microwave technique

In this research, multiwall carbon nanotubes were dispersed in a copper matrix using a planetary ball mill. The mixed powders were compacted using a uniaxial hydraulic presser. A novel method of microwave sintering was applied to consolidate Cu-CNT nanocomposites Conventional sintering method was also used to sinter samples to investigate the effects of applied methods on the properties of the sample. Sintering time was reduced to 20 min using microwave sintering method. The morphology and phase analysis of nanocomposites were studied by FESEM and XRD. The physical and mechanical properties of Cu-CNT nanocomposites were characterized using electrical conductivity, bending strength, and micro-hardness. The results show that the mechanical properties of Cu-CNT nanocomposites are improved significantly by microwave route. The optimum hardness and bending strength were obtained for 4 vol. % CNT as an optimum amount of reinforcement.