Evaluation of Behavior of Aluminium-CNT Composite on the Equal-Channel Angular Extrusion

Abstract:

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are relatively new materials on science and materials engineering. In this work was used single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) as reinforcement in an aluminum matrix. For this purpose, 0.75% (by weight) of SWNT was dispersed with isopropanol using ultrasonication and mixed with particles of aluminum powder. The samples with and without SWNT were dried and compacted at room temperature with a pressure of 400 MPa for obtain a billet with 4,8x4,8x25,0 mm3. These compacted billet were subjected to Equal-Channel Angular Extrusion - ECAE (Φ=90 °) at room temperature. The influence of the presence of SWNT, of the number of extrusion passes (0, 1, and 3 passes), of the extrusion route (A or B_C) and of the use of back pressure (0-65 MPa) in densification and hardness of the composite was evaluated. Optical microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of the aluminum grains, the dispersion of SWCNT and present pores in the samples. The results indicated that the density and hardness of the samples are increased with the increase in the number of extrusion passes and the use of back pressure. The microstructures showed alignment of the aluminum grains and of the CNT clusters in a direction close to the shear imposed by the ECAE process and increase of the dispersion because of the necking and defragmentation of the CNT clusters.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 899)
• Pages: 305-310
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.899.305
• Online since: July 2017
• Authors: Ariel Teixeira*, Márcio Roberto da Rocha, Angela Beatriz Coelho Arnt
• Keywords: Aluminium, Carbon Nanotubes, Dispersion, Equal-Channel Angular Extrusion

References

[1] H. Kwon et al.: Carbon Vol. 47 (2009), p.570.

[2] A. Maqboola et al.: Materials Characterization Vol. 86 (2013), p.39.

[3] T. Villmow et al.: Polymer Vol. 49 (2008), p.3500.

[4] G.D. Zhan et al.: Nat. Mater. Vol. 2 (2003), p.28.

[5] J.M. Schnorr, T.M. Swager: Chem. Mater. Vol. 23 (2011), p.646.

[6] S.C. Tjong: Materials Science Engineering R (2013).

[7] T. Peng, I. Chang: Powder Technology Vol. 266 (2014), p.7.

[8] T. Kuzumaki, K. Miyazawa, H. Ichinose, K. Ito: J. Mater. Res. Vol. 9 (1998), p.2445.

[9] A.M.K. Esawi, K. Morsi: Composites A Vol. 38 (2007), p.646.

[10] T. Noguchi, J. Beppu: Eng Mater. Vol. 8 (2004), p.36.

[11] S. Simões, F. Viana, M.A.L. Reis, M.F. Vieira: Composite Structures Vol. 108 (2014), p.992.

[12] Y. Wu, G. Kim, A.M. Russell: Materials Science and Engineering A Vol. 538 (2012), p.164.

[13] C.F. Deng et al.: Mater Lett. Vol. 61 (2007), p.1725.

[14] K. Morsi et al.: Composites Part A Vol. 41 (2010), p.322.

[15] P. Quang et al.: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Vols. 187–188 (2007), p.318.

[16] V.M. Segal: Materials Science and Engineering A 386 (2004) 269-276.

[17] R. Lapovok: Journal of Material Science Vol. 40 (2005), p.341.