Effect of the carbon nanotubes on structure and magnetic properties of the Fe–Cu (4:1) composites

• Fe–Cu (4:1) nanocomposites with/without carbon nanotubes have synthesized.
• Metastable α-(Fe, Cu) solid solution is formed during milling of Fe and Cu powders.
• Addition of CNTs to Fe–Cu charge leads to formation of martensite α-(Fe, Cu, C) phase.
• α-(Fe, Cu, C) phase causes an increase of coercive force and strength of composites.

Nanocomposite materials (NCMs) of the Fe–Cu (4:1) system with/without small addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been synthesized by mechano-chemical activation of elemental Fe and Cu powders in a high energy planetary ball mill and have been examined by the X-ray diffraction method, SEM and magnetometric studies. The metastable α-(Fe, Cu) supersaturated solid solution is formed in the Fe–Cu nanocomposites during milling process, while a small addition (up to 2 vol.%) of the carbon nanotubes into the Fe–Cu charge results in formation of the martensite-type α-(Fe, Cu, C) phase. The coherent scattering block size of the materials obtained is decreased with milling time increasing. The duration of mechano-chemical activation affects the magnetic properties of nanocomposites studied. Formation of the α-(Fe, Cu, C) phase causes a significant increase of both coercive force and tensile strength of the Fe–Cu (4:1) + CNTs NCMs.

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