Fabrication of Carbon Nanotube/Aluminum Matrix Composites by Ball Milling and Cold Press Processing

Abstract:

Carbon nanotube (CNT) has been one of promising candidates as a reinforcement in metal matrix composites (MMCs) for its variety of excellent properties such as lightweight, high strength etc. It is necessary to disperse CNT to the level of each one in order to lead to efficiently reflect the excellent essential physical properties of CNT in the composites. This research investigates fabrication processes linked with dry ball milling and cold pressing followed by sintering to uniformly disperse CNT in aluminum (Al) matrix. It was found that dispersibility of CNT were improved with increasing ball milling time based on observation of morphology of mixed powders and the composites using SEM. Vickers hardness and tensile strength of CNT/ Al composites increased with increasing ball milling time up to 24 hours, while they were constant or decreased because of increase of voids in case of longer than 24 hours of ball milling time.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 878)
• Pages: 89-97
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.878.89
• Online since: March 2021
• Authors: Shogo Kimura*, Junki Ueda, Hideaki Tsukamoto
• Keywords: Al Matrix Composites, Ball Milling, Carbon Nanotube, Powder Metallurgy

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