Carbon nanotube- and Fep-reinforced copper–matrix composites by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding

Carbon nanotube (CNT)- and Fep-reinforced copper–matrix composites were successfully fabricated by laser induction hybrid rapid cladding to enhance simultaneously their thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. The microstructure and properties depended on the interaction between CNTs and Fep. When the CNT content was 2.6 wt.%, smaller Fep and CNTs were uniformly embedded in Cu-rich matrix. The composites exhibited attractive properties including thermal conductivity (197 W m−1 K−1), hardness (429HV0.2), coefficient of friction (0.11) and wear rate (5.3 × 10−16 m3 N−1 m−1 lap−1).