Carbon nanotube reinforced Cu–10Sn alloy composites: Mechanical and thermal properties

Multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced Cu–10Sn alloy composites were fabricated using high power lasers. Microstructural observations showed that CNTs were retained in the composite matrix after laser processing. The addition of CNTs showed improvement in strain hardening, mechanical and thermal properties of Cu–10Sn alloy. Composites with 12 vol.% CNTs showed more than 80% increase in the Young's modulus and 40% increase in the thermal conductivity of Cu–10Sn alloy. Yield strength estimates using a model based on strengthening mechanisms in metal matrix nanocomposites and thermal conductivities derived from the Maxwell–Garnett effective medium theory were found to be in good agreement with our experimental data.

► CNT reinforced Cu–10Sn alloy composites were fabricated using high power lasers.
► The addition of CNTs showed considerable improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of Cu–10Sn alloy.
► Mechanical and thermal properties estimated using analytical models were in good agreement with experimental data.