Magnesium matrix composites fabricated by using accumulative roll bonding of magnesium sheets coated with carbon-nanotube-containing aluminum powders

A new method for fabricating carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced magnesium composites was developed by applying accumulative roll bonding to magnesium sheets coated with ball-milled Al–CNT powders. Formation of Al–CNT layers between sheets, and their conversion into intermetallic compounds containing CNTs (IMCs–CNT) by Mg/Al interdiffusion and the progressive breaking up and separation of IMCs–CNT by shear plastic flow, eventually resulted in a uniform distribution of CNTs in the matrix. A small addition of CNT notably improved the mechanical properties of the composites.