Processing and Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Nickel Matrix Composites

Multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced nickel composites have been manufactured in a bulk form by using a laser deposition technique, commercially known as the laser engineered net shaping (LENS™) process. These nanocomposites have been characterized in detail by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM study has also been conducted on these nanocomposites to characterize the nanotube/metal matrix interface. In addition, the thermal conductivities of Ni/CNT composites deposited by the LENS™ process have been measured by using Fourier Law of conduction in vacuum. The measurement did not show enhancement of thermal properties, which is caused by the inherent formation of voids and carbide formed during the LENS™ process.