Conditions for Production of Composite Material Based on Aluminum and Carbon Nanofibers and Its Physic-Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Aluminum-based metallic matrix composites reinforced by carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are important precursors for development of new light and ultralight materials with enhanced properties and high specific characteristics. In the present work, powder metallurgy technique was applied for production of composites based on reinforcement of aluminum matrices by CNFs of different concentrations (0~2.5 wt%). CNFs were produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and mechanical activation. We determined that in situ synthesis of carbon nanostructures with subsequent mechanic activation provides satisfactory distribution of nanofibers and homogeneous composite microstructure. Introduction of 1 vol% of flux (0.25 NaCl + 0.25 KCl + 0.5 CaF2) during mechanic activation helps to reduce the strength of the contacts between the particles. Additionally, better reinforcement of alumina particles and strengthening the bond between CNFs and aluminum are observed due to alumina film removal. Introduction of pure aluminum into mechanically alloyed powder provides the possibility to control composite durability, plasticity and thermal conductivity.

Dispersion mechanism-induced variations in microstructural and mechanical behavior of CNT-reinforced aluminum nanocomposites

“…However, the result of this study distinguished itself in terms of the ~ 160% increase in hardness. This achieved hardness value was profoundly higher than ball-milled CNTs-reinforced Al matrix composite systems reported by various researchers [65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. Such a remarkable hardness increment was attributed to the combined effect of different strengthening mechanisms currently in the CNT-Al7075 composite milled for 8 h.…”

The Use of Carbon-Containing Compounds to Prepare Functional and Structural Composite Materials: A Review

“…Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, even small additions of CNTs and CNFs to various materials can significantly improve their mechanical and electrical characteristics. Since the 1990s, works have been published suggesting the introduction of carbon nanostructures into a metal matrix in order to strengthen it, which has significantly improved the properties of composite materials and expanded their scope [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64]. Theoretical and experimental studies of the mechanical properties of singlewalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are described in many works [5,62,65,66].…”

“…A typical technological process of the PM method consists of the mixing of components and their consolidation. Mixing is usually carried out using mechanical alloying in mills of various types or ultrasonic processing of components in liquid media [61]. Consolidation methods based on the sintering of metal powders can be divided as follows: (i)-conventional sintering, (ii)-hot pressing.…”

Features of the Synthesis of the Dispersed TiC Phase with Nickel Nanostructures on the Surface to Create an Aluminum-Based Metal Composite

“…Electroless metals deposition is a widespread method of obtaining metal coatings on various surface types [15,16]. So, this method was chosen for the metallic Ni deposition on the dispersed ceramic phase surface.…”