Synergistic role of carbon nanotube and SiCn reinforcements on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Cu-based nanocomposite developed by flake powder metallurgy and spark plasma sintering process

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 786; p. 139395
• Main Authors: Akbarpour, M.R., Mousa Mirabad, H., Khalili Azar, M., Kakaei, K., Kim, H.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 01.06.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Anodic dissolution; Anodic polarization; Carbon nanotube (CNT); Carbon nanotubes; Coefficient of friction; Composite materials; Copper; Corrosion; Corrosion effects; Corrosion rate; Corrosive wear; Dissolution; Flakes; Grain boundaries; Grain size; Mechanical properties; Mechanical tests; Metal matrix composites (MMC); Microhardness; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Oxygen reduction reactions; Plasma sintering; Powder metallurgy; Reinforced metals; Silicon carbide; Spark plasma sintering; Wear rate; Mechanical properties; Metal matrix composites (MMC); Carbon nanotube (CNT); Spark plasma sintering; Corrosion; Copper
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2020.139395

Hybrid-reinforced metals are novel composite materials in which nano-phases including nanoparticles and nanotubes/nanosheets are used simultaneously to reinforce metals or alloys to enhance physical, mechanical, wear and other properties. In this research, Cu/(CNT-SiC) hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized using flake powder metallurgy and spark plasma sintering method and the effects of hybrid reinforcements on microstructural, wear and corrosion properties of the developed material were investigated and compared with those of copper. Microstructural characterization showed reduction of average grain size from 419 to 307 nm and increase of low angle grain boundaries with the introduction and homogeneous dispersion of hybrid reinforcements. Mechanical tests indicated that the addition of hybrid SiC and CNT reinforcements substantially increased microhardness and reduced wear rate and friction coefficient of the Cu. Also, polarization and EIS tests revealed the suppressing of the anodic dissolution of the matrix, hindering the oxygen reduction reaction and 62.5% improvement of corrosion rate for the composite material. The effects of hybrid nano-reinforcements are presented and discussed.