C. Parswajinan

A Review on CNT Reinforced Aluminium and Magnesium Matrix Composites

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) are one allotropic form of carbon, which have some unique characteristics that make them a suitable reinforcing agent in various types of composites. CNT reinforced composites are gaining more attention in recent days. Reinforcing with CNT leads to increase in strength without considerable increase in weight. Many metal matrix composites (MMCs) with base metals like aluminium, magnesium, copper, nickel etc., and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) have been fabricated and experimented with CNT as one of their reinforcing agents and corresponding results have been recorded. This paper reviews a few of these recordings on Al and Mg MMCs and also some future development in this field.

Experimental Investigation of Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Aluminium Reinforced with MWCNT

Carbon Nanotubes (CNT’s) have recently been found to possess extraordinary mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Extensive studies on the properties of CNT’s as a re-inforcing agent in Metal Matrix Composites are being investigated. In this study, powder metallurgy technique has been employed for the matrix material being Aluminium 6063 with CNT in varying concentrations as reinforcing agent. The powders are mixed thoroughly using ball milling and are compacted in a compacting die made of D-2 Steel to make green compact. It is then sintered at 350°C to 550°C at a rate of increase of 50°C per hour. Chemical, Microscopic examination, Compression and Hardness tests were performed on the specimens and were compared with pure aluminium specimens to show the effects of varying concentrations of CNT. The study indicated that there was no improvement in hardness of the composite on addition of CNT while there was an increase in compressive strength. The microstructure of pure aluminium and Al-CNT composite had fine grains of pure aluminium particles and Al-Si eutectic particles throughout the matrix phase.

Experimental Investigation on Compression and Chemical Properties of Aluminium Nano Composite

Aluminium metal matrix composites are being widely investigated with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) as one of their reinforcing agents. This is done in order to improve the mechanical strength of the composite. Various studies on this concept have already been recorded. In this study, Aluminium has been reinforced with CNTs using powder metallurgy technique. The powders of aluminium and CNT are ball milled, compacted in a die made up of die steel, and then sintered. The specimens thus obtained were subjected to hardness, compression and chemical tests and the values were compared with pure aluminium specimen fabricated by same technique. The study indicated that there was no improvement in hardness of the composite on addition of CNT. The compressive strength of the composite was increased by 143.58 MPa. The microstructure of pure aluminium and Al-CNT composite had fine grains of pure aluminium particles and Al-Si eutectic particles throughout the matrix phase.

A Review on Composite Materials with Ferrous, CNT and Powder Metallurgy

Carbon nanotubes are the latest trends in the study of powder metallurgy and nanocomposites. This is due to the exceptional properties like superior mechanical and electrical properties, high Young’s modulus, high tensile strength, smaller diameters, high elongation and high chemical stability. CNT’s is an attractive reinforcement for metal matrix composites. CNT are now reinforced with many metal matrix composites like aluminium, iron, manganese, copper etc. with considerable change in density of the material. Due to high aspect ratio that facilitates their tubular structure and high strength the CNT’s are reinforced with ferrous powder by implying powder metallurgy process and the results have been recorded. Such recordings of the effects of CNT on Ferrous powders are reviewed in this paper.