Abstract
Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced copper matrix nanocomposites were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique, which consists of blending, compaction and sintering followed by hot forging technique. The microhardness of hot forged nanocomposites was evaluated and found to be higher than that of hot forged copper. The enhanced hardness was attributed to the hardening of the copper matrix by reinforcing effect of MWCNTs. Electron diffraction patterns obtained from MWCNTs and nanocomposites were indexed, and an orientation relationship was derived using stereographic projection. The orientation relationship between MWCNTs and copper appears to be []fcc Cu||[
]MWCNT, and tube axis was found to be parallel to (3 1 1)Cu. However, no unique orientation relationship was observed between copper and MWCNTs.
The project was funded by the Institution of Engineers (India), 8 Gokhale Road, Kolkata 700020 under R&D Graint-in-Aid scheme 2011–2012. The authors appreciate the support of Dr. U. Chandrashekar (Gas Turbine Research Establishment, DRDO, Bangalore), Professor D. Jawahar (CEO, PES Group of Institutions), Dr. K. N. B. Murthy (Principal and Director) and Dr. C. S. Ramesh (Mechanical Engineering, PESIT, Bangalore).