Mechanism And Properties Of Carbon Nanotubes/copper Composite By Hot-press Sintering

There are two deficiencies for copper used as electrical contact material. First, mechanical properties are deficient. Second, functions are insufficient. Carbon nanotubes(CNTs) have excellent mechanical properties which can improve the mechanical properties of copper matrix composites as a kind of reinforcing filler. Moreover, the excellent electric conductivity, the thermal conductivity, the chemical stability and thermal stability of CNTs are beneficial to realization of multi-function.In this paper, the raw material, the equipment, the procedure and parameter of carbon nanotubes/copper matrix composites were introduced. Carbon nanotubes/copper matrix composites were prepared by hot-press sintering after CNTs and copper powders were mixed in ball mill. Then the relationship of the microstructure and the mechanical properties was studied. With the content of CNTs increasing, the holes of composites and the blocks of CNTs increase. Meanwhile, matrix becomes discontinuous. The structure of composites intensively influences the relative density, HBS and bend intensity. It shows that relative density and mechanical properties decrease with the increase of the content of CNTs.In order to improve the distribution of CNTs and the interface of CNTs-copper, the principle and the method of the electroless plating were introduced. The coating of copper was plated on the surface of CNTs.