ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Cu-CNT NANOCOMPOSITES SINTERED BY MICROWAVE TECHNIQUE

• Marjan Darabi

  English

  Author

• Masoud Rajabi

  English

  Author

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.

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