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Technology transfer for economic bulk production is the greatest challenge of the era. Production of high strength lightweight materials with nanocarbon reinforcement has attained its importance among the researchers. Property enhancement with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforcement is reported by all researchers. But effective utilization of its property remains a challenge even though it is the strongest material in the world. Achieving homogeneous dispersion especially in molten metal is a complex task. To address the same, a new approach was tried which could trigger de-bundling and make a uniform dispersion. Various metallurgical and mechanical characterizations were done. Grain refinement and the structure were studied with an optical microscope, MWCNT dispersion and structural damage was studied using field emission scanning microscope, Phase change and reactions during casting was done with XRD scan. The method remarkably facilitated 23.7% and 69.75% improvement in hardness and ultimate compressive strength respectively with the addition of MWCNT.

This paper focuses on the development of copper filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) composites by fused deposition modelling (FDM) and to characterize its friction and wear behaviour. Twin screw extrusion technique was employed to extract copper-ABS composite filament. Three different materials were tested, i.e. pure ABS, ABS+2.5wt% Cu and ABS+5wt% Cu. Friction and wear characteristics of pure ABS and copper filled ABS composites were tested under various loads and sliding velocities. Addition of Copper powder has significantly improved the friction and wear properties of the developed composites. Further, it is also observed that friction and wear behaviour increased with increase in copper content in ABS. Worn out surfaces were subjected to scanning electron microscopy studies to analyse and identify the possible wear mechanisms involved.