Influence of compaction temperature on the mechanical properties and micro morphology of Cu/CNTs composites prepared by electromagnetic impacting

Carbon nanotubes reinforced copper-based composites (Cu/CNTs) had excellent physical properties and were widely used in industrial production and manufacturing. In this work, the mechanical properties and micro morphology of Cu/CNTs composites prepared by electromagnetic powder compaction (EMPC) at 25–200 °C were investigated. Results showed that the relative density, hardness and compressive stress of Cu/CNTs compacts gradually increased as the temperature increased. The growth trend had an obvious turning point at 150 °C. The maximum relative density and compressive stress were 95.74% at 200 °C and 520.95 MPa at 150 °C, respectively. The micro morphology of the end faces and cross sections became denser. The temperature had a weakening effect on the compressive strain, but the opposite was true for compressive stress. The optimal temperature was 150 °C. The relationships between temperature and compressive stress and strain of Cu/CNTs composites were revealed.