Materials Characterization and the Microstructure of Pure Cu and Cu-3vol%CNT Composite Fabricated From Optimization of SPS Processing Variables

In this study, materials characterization of pure copper and copper based carbon nano-tube composite prepared by powder metallurgy method were investigated. Prior to evaluate materials characterization, spark plasma sintering processing variables such as sintering temperature, pressure, thickness and diameter of compacts was optimized to ensure the microstructure and materials property of pure Cu and Cu-CNT composite. In addition, corrosion behavior of Cu-based CNT composite produced by powder sintering method was investigated. It was confirmed from this study that the corroded surfaces of the composite shows less dissolution compared with pure copper in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The measured corrosion current density (I_corr) indicates improved corrosion property of Cu based composite containing small additions of CNTs in chloride containing media. Micro-galvanic activity between Cu and CNT was not observed in given sintering condition.

SPS 공정 변수의 최적화에 의한 Pure Cu와 Cu-3vol%CNT composite의 미세구조와 소재특성