High wear resistance and self-lubrication of carbon nanotubes-reinforced nickel matrix composite

Carbon nanotubes-nickel composite coatings were prepared by the electroforming technique. The microstructure of the coatings have been examined by electron microscopy and the wear properties of the coatings tested on a reciprocating wear test machine. The results show that the carbon nanotubes are uniformly dispersed in the coatings and increase the wear resistance of the coatings significantly. This was due to the carbon nanotubes having super-strong mechanical properties and self-lubrication.