Enhancing structural stability and physical properties of silver added iron-MWCNT composite prepared by high energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering

摘要

This paper reports the beneficial effect of silver addition (similar to 0.1 wt%) on the structural stabilization of multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced in iron matrix by way of high energy ball milling (HEBM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Silver added Fe x wt% MWCNT (x = 1, 2, 3 and 4) composites were prepared by HEBM followed by SPS. Structural characterization of silver bearing composite powder and its sintered mass was carried out by XRD. The structural damage of MWCNT after HEBM was assessed by Raman Spectroscopy. As a support, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic study was used to look into the bonding characteristics. Detailed microstructural studies by optical, field emission scanning (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were employed to further assess structural stabilization and evolution of micro constituents during processing. Finally, magnetic and electrical properties of the composites were determined.