This review summarises the research work carried out in the field of carbon nanotube (CNT) metal matrix composites (MMCs). Much research has been undertaken in utilising CNTs as reinforcement for composite material. However, CNT-reinforced MMCs have received the least attention. These composites are being projected for use in structural applications for their high specific strength as well as functional materials for their exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. The present review focuses on the critical issues of CNT-reinforced MMCs that include processing techniques, nanotube dispersion, interface, strengthening mechanisms and mechanical properties. Processing techniques used for synthesis of the composites have been critically reviewed with an objective to achieve homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes in the matrix. The mechanical property improvements achieved by addition of CNTs in various metal matrix systems are summarised. The factors determining strengthening achieved by CNT reinforcement are elucidated as are the structural and chemical stability of CNTs in different metal matrixes and the importance of the CNT/metal interface has been reviewed. The importance of CNT dispersion and its quantification is highlighted. Carbon nanotube reinforced MMCs as functional materials are summarised. Future work that needs attention is addressed.

Carbon nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites - a review

One-dimensional carbon nanotubes and two-dimensional graphene nanosheets with unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties are attractive reinforcements for fabricating light weight, high strength and high performance metal-matrix composites. Rapid advances of nanotechnology in recent years enable the development of advanced metal matrix nanocomposites for structural engineering and functional device applications. This review focuses on the recent development in the synthesis, property characterization and application of aluminum, magnesium, and transition metal-based composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets. These include processing strategies of carbonaceous nanomaterials and their composites, mechanical and tribological responses, corrosion, electrical and thermal properties as well as hydrogen storage and electrocatalytic behaviors. The effects of nanomaterial dispersion in the metal matrix and the formation of interfacial precipitates on these properties are also addressed. Particular attention is paid to the fundamentals and the structure–property relationships of such novel nanocomposites.

Recent progress in the development and properties of novel metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets

Effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) content on the mechanical properties of CNT-reinforced aluminium composites

Composites of graphene platelets and powdered aluminum were made using ball milling, hot isostatic pressing and extrusion. The mechanical properties and microstructure were studied using hardness and tensile tests, as well as electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Compared to the pure aluminum and multi-walled carbon nanotube composites, the graphene–aluminum composite showed decreased strength and hardness. This is explained in the context of enhanced aluminum carbide formation with the graphene filler.

Graphene–aluminum nanocomposites

An analysis of the factors affecting strengthening in carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum composites

Combination of hot extrusion and spark plasma sintering for producing carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Interface and interfacial reactions in multi-walled carbon nanotube- reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a contributing reinforcement phase for the improvement of thermal conductivity in copper matrix composites

We fabricated a uniformly dispersed and aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum matrix (Al–MWCNT) composite with minimal work hardening and without interfacial chemical compounds. In this paper, the direct load-bearing contribution of MWCNTs on the Al–MWCNT composite was investigated in detail for various volume fractions of MWCNTs. For up to 0.6 vol% of MWCNTs, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the Al–MWCNT composite increased with the conservation of the remarkable failure elongation of Al. These UTS values are consistent with shear lag model. We also observed an uncommon multi-wall-type failure of MWCNTs during the hot extrusion process. However, owing to the agglomeration of MWCNTs in the Al matrix, the UTS deviated significantly from the shear lag model and the remarkable failure elongation of Al decreased. The possibility of strengthening, without degrading ductility, was demonstrated by exploiting directly the load-bearing ability of individually and uniformly dispersed aligned MWCNTs.

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Takamichi Miyazaki

Papers

Combination of hot extrusion and spark plasma sintering for producing carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Interface and interfacial reactions in multi-walled carbon nanotube- reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a contributing reinforcement phase for the improvement of thermal conductivity in copper matrix composites

Load-bearing contribution of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on tensile response of aluminum

Load-bearing contribution of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on tensile response of aluminum Part A Applied science and manufacturing