Highly conductive nanostructured Cu-Cr-MWCNT composite

Highly conductive nanostructured Cu-Cr-MWCNT composite Conference

Munroe, NDH, Gill, PKS, Amruthaluri, S et al. (2008). Highly conductive nanostructured Cu-Cr-MWCNT composite . 4 2309-2318.

Contact materials for medium voltage and high current Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB) are required to possess excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, as well as superior mechanical strength. Cu-Cr alloys reinforced with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) appear to be an excellent candidate for this application. A powder metallurgical technique was used to prepare high density compacts of Cu-Cr composite with varying percentages of MWCNT. The morphology of the composites was studied by employing SEM/EDS, XRD, TEM and Raman Spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity and Vickers hardness of the compacts were also determined. A substantial increase in the electrical conductivity and strength of the composite were attained upon the addition of 5-16 % of volume fraction MWCNT. © 2008 MS&T'08®.