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Effect of Carbon Nanotubes as Reinforcement on the Mechanical Properties of Aluminum-Copper-Magnesium Alloy

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Abstract

Elemental powders of Al, Cu, Mg and x wt.% CNT (x: 0-2.5) were blended and milled in the high-energy ball mill for 4 h. Milled powders of Al alloy-CNT composites were subsequently consolidated by upset forging followed by hot extrusion. Even though the particle size of milled powders of Al alloy-CNT composites decreased with the addition of CNT, there is no significant effect on crystallite size. Raman spectra indicated that the nanocrystalline structure of CNT is retained after milling. Yield and ultimate tensile strengths increased with CNT content and Al alloy-2.5 wt.% CNT exhibited an enhancement of 56 and 73%, respectively, when compared to Al alloy in solutionized condition. The improvement in mechanical properties of Al alloy-CNT composites is due to ultra-fine grain size, finer second-phase precipitates and uniform dispersion of CNT.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank Nanomission, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for funding (No: SR/NM/NS-102011G) the work. They express sincere thanks to Dr. A.V. Reddy for his valuable suggestions and inputs. The help rendered by Mr. Y. Sumanth, Mr. G.V.R. Reddy, Dr. B.V. Sarada, Dr. Joydip Joardar, Mr. Ramesh Reddy, Dr. K. Satya Prasad and Mr. M. Rama Krishna in carrying out this research work is acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Balapur, Hyderabad, 500005, India

    N. S. Anas, Tata N. Rao & R. Vijay

  2. School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India

    N. S. Anas & R. K. Dash

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  1. N. S. Anas
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Anas, N.S., Dash, R.K., Rao, T.N. et al. Effect of Carbon Nanotubes as Reinforcement on the Mechanical Properties of Aluminum-Copper-Magnesium Alloy. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 26, 3376–3386 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-017-2730-7

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