Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 September 2012
Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced copper (Cu) nanocomposite coatings were consolidated using kinetic spraying. Nanocomposite particles colliding with supersonic velocity led to severe plastic deformation and deposition and resulted in bimodal structural evolution by grain refinement and work hardening. These microstructural factors contributed to the remarkable strengthening of the nanocomposites in conjunction with Orowan looping of MWCNTs. In this study, the microstructural and physical metallurgical analyses were performed to understand the strengthening mechanisms of MWCNT/Cu nanocomposites consolidated by kinetic spraying.