Microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes reinforced aluminum matrix composites synthesized via equal-channel angular pressing

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn this work, 2 vol% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites of superior microstructural homogeneity are successfully synthesized using Bc equal-channel angular extrusion (ECAP) route. The key step in arriving at high level of homogeneous distribution of CNTs within Al was preparation of the powder using simultaneous attrition milling and ultra-sonication processes. Microstructure as revealed by electron microscopy and absence of Vickers hardness gradients across the material demonstrate that the material reached the homogeneous state in terms of CNT distribution, porosity distribution, and grain structure after eight ECAP passes. To facilitate comparison of microstructure and hardness, samples of Al were processed under the same ECAP conditions. Significantly, the composite containing only 2 vol% exhibits 20% increase in hardness relative to the Al samples.

Investigating the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Aluminum-Matrix Reinforced-Graphene Nanosheet Composites Fabricated by Mechanical Milling and Equal-Channel Angular Pressing

“…In order to explore the consolidation level of Al-GNS nanocomposites, the density of samples was measured using the Archimedes method [58]. The results were compared to the theoretical density calculated according to the following equation [29]:ρ=100mmρm+mrρr where ρ is theoretical density, m m and m r are mass fraction of the matrix and reinforcement, respectively, and ρ m and ρ r are the density of matrix and reinforcement, respectively.…”

Development of High-Performance SiCp/Al-Si Composites by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

“…For example, Paydar et al [48] used ECAP to consolidate Al particles and decreased the grain size from 45 µm to 11.5 µm in the parallel section. Zare et al [49] achieved a fine grain size (about 1 µm) in the carbon nanotube-reinforced aluminum matrix composites synthesized via 8p-ECAP. Ramu and Bauri [50] reduced the grain size of Al-5 vol.% SiC p MMC to 8 µm by 2p-ECAP.…”

Prediction of surface roughness and material removal rate in wire electrical discharge machining on aluminum based alloys/composites using Taguchi coupled Grey Relational Analysis and Artificial Neural Networks

“…Aluminum and its alloys are considered to be a widely accepted material after iron and its alloy; apart from the structural applications, the former is considered to be a replacement for the latter based on its enhanced properties. Aluminum posse's low density thereby reducing the weight of the component and henceforth can be considered as a well suitable material in the field of civil, food processing, aerospace and automobile industries as weight is considered to be a major constrain during the design process [1][2][3]. Aluminum and alloys poses superior malleability, formability easing for the secondary processes such as hot rolling, forming etc., corrosion resistance and workability but its hardness and reduced wear resistance restricts its use to a large level in the field of transport industries [4][5][6].…”