Carbon nanotube-reinforced aluminium strips

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have recently emerged as materials with outstanding properties. Researchers have investigated their use as reinforcements in – mainly – polymer, and ceramic matrices. Due to the anticipated fabrication difficulties, a few research groups have explored their use to reinforce metal matrices. Recently, conventional powder metallurgy techniques (compaction and sintering) were used with some success. In this paper, a powder can rolling technique is used to fabricate carbon nanotube-reinforced aluminium strips. The Al–CNT mixtures are blended in either a mixer-shaker at a rotary speed of 46 rpm, or under argon in a planetary mill at a rotary speed of 300 rpm, prior to rolling. The dispersion of the nanotubes is shown to be better under the higher energy planetary action. The strength of the rolled strips is evaluated for various wt% CNT samples. The Al–0.5 wt% composite strips exhibited enhanced mechanical properties. The CNT-reinforced aluminium strips can have numerous attractive applications in the aerospace, automotive and electronics industries.