Effect of Carbon Nanotube Content on the Wear Behaviours of Cu-CNT Composites Produced by Powder Metallurgy Method

In this study the effect of carbon nanotube content on the wear behaviours of Cu-carbon nanotube composites produced by powder metallurgy method was investigated. In the scope of the study five different amounts of carbon nanotube (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%) were added into pure Cu powders and mechanically milled for 360 min. The mechanically milled Cu-carbon nanotube powders were cold pressed under 600 MPa load and sintered in atmosphere-controlled furnace at 1000 degrees C for 1 h. Microstructure examinations, hardness measurements, and wear tests were carried out. In this study, the hardness values were found to have increased with increasing carbon nanotube content up to 1.5%. Then it decreased with increasing carbon nanotube content. Wear test results were compatible with hardness results. The lowest weight losses were measured with 1.5% carbon nanotube content.