Fabrication and Characterization of Cold-Pressed and Sintered Aluminium - MWCNT Composites

Abstract

In the present article aluminium matrix composites were fabricated by cold pressing and sintering technique. Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) with various weight percentage 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 were added as a reinforcement to aluminium (Al) matrix. A planetary ball mill was used for mechanical alloying and even dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aluminium matrix. Tin (Sn) with 1.0 weight percent was used in composite to incite the sintering. The sintering was carried out at 500°C inside a tube furnace in an argon atmosphere. The morphology and structure of CNT and Al-Sn-CNT composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of MWCNT reinforcement on microhardness and wear properties of Al-Sn-CNT composite was investigated. The hardness of composites was improved significantly with increase in CNT fraction. The reduction in the coefficient of friction and improvement in the wear resistance of the Al-Sn-CNT composite was noticed with the increase in percentage of CNTs in the composite.

Mechanical and Tribological Attributes of Al-CNT-Sn Composites Prepared by Press and Sintering

“…The solid interfacial bonds between the matrix and reinforcement and load sharing by CNT within the matrix contribute to improving the hardness of the composite. The sintering time also plays a significant role in improving the hardness [28]. The small volume of Al 4 C 3 in Al-CNT-Sn composites observed in the XRD study also contributes to hardness enhancement.…”

“…On the contrary, reduced wear and wear friction coefficient is noticed with the CNT fraction in the composite sample. wear loss is observed due to delamination and deep ploughing [28]. On the contrary, reduced wear and wear friction coefficient is noticed with the CNT fraction in the composite sample.…”

“…As discussed in the previous paper, Al-CNT-Sn composite surfaces with lower CNT fractions show more wear rate. A more significant amount of wear loss is observed due to delamination and deep ploughing[28]. On the contrary, reduced wear and wear friction coefficient is noticed with the CNT fraction in the composite sample.…”