Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Carbon Nanotube (CNT)-Reinforced Nickel-Based Nanocomposites: Microstructure Evolution, Mechanical, and Tribological Properties Raw Data

This study employs the laser additive manufacturing route of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to fabricate carbon nanotube-reinforced IN718 nickel-based nanocomposites (CNT-IN718), which possess tailored microstructures and superior mechanical and tribological properties. Studied the microstructure characteristics, mechanical properties, and tribological properties, and established the relationship between the CNT reinforcement phase and properties. The results indicate that Raman spectroscopy and TEM micrographs show the presence of CNTs in the metal matrix after LPBF preparation. The addition of a small amount (0.5 wt.%) of CNT can significantly improve the hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance of nickel-based nanocomposites. Compared with IN718, the tensile strength of CNT-IN718 specimen increased by 61.82%, while the failure elongation rate only decreased by 3.1%. Meanwhile, the wear rate of CNT-IN718 decreased from 10.62 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/N · m to 4.85 × 10⁻⁶ mm³/N · m, a decrease of 53.40%. The strengthening mechanism of CNT-IN718 is attributed to the combined effects of core loading and transfer mechanism, dislocation control strengthening, and interface reaction strengthening.