The metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been widely used where high specific properties and temperature resistance are required, particularly in aerospace applications. In this work, an ASTM-1100 aluminum alloy in the form of sheets was reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by a novel technique which we have called sandwich technique. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are dispersed in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution; this solution is poured into a container and dried to obtain a reinforced polymer, which is then stretched to obtain a sheet with CNTs aligned in the stretching direction. These composite sheets were stacked with aluminum sheets, and then these stacks were hot compacted in a die using an argon atmosphere to prevent the damage of the CNTs. During this process, most of the polymer evaporates and aluminum diffusion allows obtaining a consolidated matrix with a banded structure of CNTs. The mechanical properties of the composite were measured by tensile and nano-indentation tests, showing increases of up to 100% in the elastic modulus and significant increases in yield and ultimate strength with respect to unreinforced material. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analyses showed a good dispersion of the CNTs within the bands with no evidence of CNTs' damage. No harmful phases were found in the composite after micro X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. The results showed that the proposed technique is promissory to solve some of the problems in the nano-MMCs manufacturing such as dispersion and alignment of the reinforcing phase.
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February 2016
Technical Briefs
A Novel Technique for Production of Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced With Carbon Nanotubes
Cesar Isaza,
Cesar Isaza
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: caisaza@unal.edu.co
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: caisaza@unal.edu.co
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G. Sierra,
G. Sierra
Professor
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: geasierraga@unal.edu.co
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: geasierraga@unal.edu.co
Search for other works by this author on:
J. M. Meza
J. M. Meza
Professor
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: jmmezam@unal.edu.co
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: jmmezam@unal.edu.co
Search for other works by this author on:
Cesar Isaza
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: caisaza@unal.edu.co
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: caisaza@unal.edu.co
G. Sierra
Professor
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: geasierraga@unal.edu.co
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: geasierraga@unal.edu.co
J. M. Meza
Professor
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: jmmezam@unal.edu.co
Escuela de Materiales y Minerales,
Universidad Nacional de Colombia,
Cl 75 79 a-51,
Medellín M 17, Colombia
e-mail: jmmezam@unal.edu.co
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Manufacturing Engineering Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. Manuscript received November 28, 2014; final manuscript received April 8, 2015; published online September 9, 2015. Assoc. Editor: Donggang Yao.
J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. Feb 2016, 138(2): 024501 (5 pages)
Published Online: September 9, 2015
Article history
Received:
November 28, 2014
Revision Received:
April 8, 2015
Citation
Isaza, C., Sierra, G., and Meza, J. M. (September 9, 2015). "A Novel Technique for Production of Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced With Carbon Nanotubes." ASME. J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. February 2016; 138(2): 024501. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030377
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