Role of structural parameters on strength-ductility combination of laminated carbon nanotubes/copper composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced Cu laminated composites were constructed to analyze the effect of structural parameters on strength-ductility combination. CNTs were uniformly dispersed on Cu foils through electrophoresis deposition and embedded into the Cu matrix after hot pressing and rolling. Nanoscale CNTs/Cu composite layers were formed and a bimodal structure was induced. Introduction of CNTs and the induced laminated structure promote the enhancement in yield strength of ∼31 and ∼51 MPa in composites with original 100 and 30 μm Cu foils. More composite layers introduced by adopting 30 μm Cu foils inhibited the rapid concentrated plastic deformation and prolonged the crack pathway, thus realizing the strength-ductility combination. The deteriorated ductility of Cu layers in composite with original 100 μm Cu foils finally leaded to damaged ductility of the composite. This work provides a feasible way to construct the laminated composites and demonstrates the effect of structural parameters on strength-ductility combination.