Nanohardness and wear behavior of copper-SiC-CNTs nanocomposites

Abstract

This study highlights the influence of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and silicon carbide (SiC) particles on microstructure, nanohardness and tribological behavior of copper nanocomposites. All the samples were fabricated via conventional powder metallurgy process involving high-energy ball milling, consolidation, sintering and hot forging. Microstructure of copper matrix composites was analyzed using both Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscope along wtih X-ray diffraction that was used to study the dispersion, bonding of reinforcements with matrix and identify the different phases formed during fabrication. Nanoindentation test was conducted to obtain nanohardness as a function of multiple reinforcement's content. Sliding wear test in dry conditions was conducted using pin-on-disc tribometer as per ASTM G99 standards. SEM microstructure revealed uniform dispersion of CNTs and SiC particles in the copper, which led to significant improvement in nanohardness. Nanocomposite with 3wt. % CNTs had nanohardness of 1.82 GPa while pure copper had 0.94 GPa indicating significant improvement. The tribological test showed that nanocomposites had excellent wear resistance in comparison with pure copper.