Fabrication process of carbon nanotube/light metal matrix composites by squeeze casting

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) should be attractive for the reinforcement of metal-matrix composites, because of their high strength, high modulus and high thermal conductivity. However, the fiber diameter of MWCNTs is hundreds of times smaller than that of carbon fiber. This causes difficulty in infiltration into the MWCNT preform. Moreover, the threshold pressure which was applied to the preform will cause preform deformation. Therefore, knowledge of preform compressive properties which are the buckling strength and elastic modulus are necessary to fabricate the composites. In this study, at first, wettability of the basal plane of graphite by molten aluminum or magnesium was measured using the sessile drop method. Moreover, trial fabrication of MWCNT-reinforced aluminum or magnesium alloy composites was carried out by squeeze casting. As a result, these composites were fully infiltrated. An order-of-magnitude agreement was found between the estimated threshold pressure and the applied infiltration pressure to the MWCNT preform.