Optimization of Processing Parameters on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Copper-CNT Nanocomposites

Attracting materials like Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) are proved to be a more promising candidate as the nanodispersion in metal-based nanocomposites. CNTs reinforced in the copper metal matrix is one of the utmost demanding nanocomposites in many industrial applications because of its enhancement in characteristics. But, the hindrance to the enhancement in the properties is the agglomeration of nanoparticles to form clusters and poor interfacial attractions between the constituents. Powder metallurgy is the most common and advantageous fabrication method for these metal matrix nanocomposites. Ball milling and Ultrasonication techniques are methods employed of mechanical blending to evade the growth of clusters. The microstructures of the samples show that the CNTs are homogeneously distributed in some cases which are studied using SEM analysis. The influences of the reinforcement content and manufacturing constraints on the various properties like density, hardness, and Coefficient of Friction (COF) are analyzed and studied. The optimum values of the reinforcement content and process parameters on various outputs are determined using Taguchi and Grey Relation Analysis and ANOVA study is also used to evaluate the role of the governing constraints on the output responses