Fabrication of GNPs nano-ceramic reinforced Cu-W dual matrix nanocomposites and characterization of its physico-mechanical properties using high-energy ball milling technique

Abstract

This paper describes the fabrication of nanocomposites of Cu reinforced with GNPs using high-energy ball milling, compaction, and HIP sintering. This nanocomposite is specifically required to be used for heat sink and electrical contact applications. Excellent mechanical and electrical performance is essential for the proposed application. Various parameters were experimentally used, such as sintering temperature at 1000 ºC and weight percentage of GNPs at 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 wt. % while fixing the weight percentage of 20% W and compaction pressure of 700 MPa. The results elucidated that the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the fabricated nano-composites are superior at the combination of 20% W and 1% GNPs at a sintering temperature 1000 ºC. The WC  intermetallic compounds were formed by the combination of W and C elements. The improved mechanical and electrical properties were because of the better dispersion of the nano-particles of GNPs and W inside the matrix of copper that offer the highest performance in hardness and electrical conductivity.