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Effect of Shortening Carbon Nanotubes on Carbon Nanotube Dispersion, Damage and Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

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Abstract

Carbon nanotube dispersion in metallic matrices has been a challenge for many years. This paper investigates for the first time whether shortened carbon nanotubes as a starting material could promote improved carbon nanotube dispersion and promote less carbon nanotube damage when dispersed in metals. Aluminum-carbon nanotube nanocomposites were prepared using two carbon nanotube lengths (644nm and 10–30 μm). The nanocomposites prepared with shortened carbon nanotubes showed less carbon nanotube damage, higher microhardness, smaller matrix grain size, and improved dispersion of the carbon nanotubes as compared to the nanocomposites prepared with longer carbon nanotubes. Results suggest major implications for the use of even shorter carbon nanotubes for metal matrix composites.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. David Pullman and Nobuyuki Yamamoto for allowing the use of their Raman Microscope. The authors would also like to thank Dr. George Youssef and Kaitlin Kehl for valuable discussion during this work. This work was supported by the National Science Foundation grant number 1560850.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA

    Cyrus Fitch & K. Morsi

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Fitch, C., Morsi, K. Effect of Shortening Carbon Nanotubes on Carbon Nanotube Dispersion, Damage and Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Metal Matrix Nanocomposites. Metallogr. Microstruct. Anal. 10, 167–173 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13632-021-00725-x

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