Powder Metallurgy Processing of Aluminum Matrix Reinforced with Carbon Nanoubes

Carbon nanotubes have been used as reinforcing agents in materials because of their
exceptional mechanical properties. For the project, the objective is to evaluate the
mechanical and physical properties of aluminum matrix reinforced with carbon nanotube
produced by powder metallurgical processing. In addition of carbon nanotubes in
aluminum, it is predicted to affect wear performances to monolithic aluminum alloys.
The hardness of the composite also will be studied. Since carbon particles are lighter
than metallic alloys in term of its density, aluminum-carbon nanotube composites are
expected to reduce the density of the components.
In order to investigate the influence of properties, two kinds of materials will be
involved which are aluminum matrix reinforced with carbon nanotubes and the
aluminum composite itsel£ The aluminum and carbon nanotubes powders will be mixed
using ball mill machine in various compositions which are 2 wt%, 4 wt%, 6 wt%, 8 wt%
and will be compacted at suitable pressure. The sintered products then will be prepared
for analyzing.
The sample will be prepared with regard to the standard of ASTM B925. Microstructure,
physical and mechanical properties and density ofthe said materials will be analyzed by
using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Xray
Analysis (EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and density measurement instrument.
The Vickers Hardness Testing will be use to evaluate the hardness of the composite as
per ASTM E92-82 wear characteristics follow the standard of ASTM Standard G99
(Eyre, 1991) using DUCOM Multi Specimen Tester.
The nanotubes content affects significantly mechanical properties of composites. The
2.0 wt. % CNTs is found to exhibit the highest hardness strength and the best weight
loss. The maximal increment of hardness strength and weight loss of the composite,
compared with the pure aluminum matrix is 85% and 8%, respectively.