Electroless coating of carbon nanotube/graphene nanoplatelets for reinforcing FeCo alloy

Abstract

Electroless coating process was used to coat graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which were dispersed for 1 vol.% by planetary ball milling in FeCo alloy. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) parameters of heating rate of 50 °C/min, sintering pressure of 50 MPa and sintering temperature of 1100 °C without dwelling were used for sintering. Tensile test was used to evaluate the mechanical properties for the sintered materials. The variations in microstructure and phases were analysed by Optical microscope, Scanning electron microscope, Transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy tests. Coating process was effective in improving the tensile strength and yield strength in CNTs composite; however, the ductility was decreased after coating for the reinforcements.