Role of carbon nanotube dispersion in fracture toughening of plasma sprayed aluminum oxide - carbon nanotube nanocomposite coating

Abstract

Balani, Kantesh, "Role of carbon nanotube dispersion in fracture toughening of plasma sprayed aluminum oxide -carbon nanotube nanocomposite coating" (2007 Rameshwar Ajja for their tacit support, thoughtful concern, and unselfish care during hard times. I also thank Mr. Navneet Pate and Ms. Sonali Pate for their kind support.They all pulled me together whenever I was down. They were a source of strength in me. Due to its excellent mechanical properties and bending strength, carbon nanotubes (CNT)is an ideal reinforcement for A1 2 0 3 matrix to improve its fracture toughness.The role of CNT dispersion in the fracture toughening of the plasma sprayed Reinforcement by CNTs is described by its bridging, anchoring, hook formation, impact alignment, fusion with splat, and mesh formation.The A1 2 0 3 /CNT interface is critical in assisting the stress transfer and utilizing excellent mechanical properties of CNTs. Mathematical and computational modeling using ab-initio principle is applied to understand the wetting behavior at the A1 2 0 3 /CNT interface. Contrasting storage modulus was obtained by nanoindentation (~ 210, 250, 250-350 and 325-420 GPa in A-SD, A4C-B, A4C-SD, and A8C-SD coatings respectively) depicting the toughening associated with CNT content and dispersion.ix