Investigation of mechanical behavior of carbon nanotube-reinforced magnesium composite

Metal matrix-based carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are being extensively explored because of their superior mechanical properties. Among metals, magnesium due to its low density and low melting point is widely used in making light weight composite material. Addition of small amount CNTs in magnesium matrix can produce high strength, light weight material. In this work, mechanical properties of CNT/Magnesium composites are being investigated. Three-dimensional representative volume element is extracted from the composite, for the analysis. Four different types of models are constructed, each made of square shape consisting of 16 CNTs. Adequate properties of single-walled CNT/Magnesium composite are examined with RVE undergoing stretch and transverse loading conditions. The results are obtained for different percentages of CNT volume fraction in magnesium matrix. For closely simulating the properties of composite material, the interphase is developed between CNT and matrix material and random orientation of carbon nanotubes in the matrix is considered. With the insertion of 2.4% of CNTs in the magnesium matrix material, 31.64% rise in Young's modulus is observed. The results acquired from the present analysis are validated with the rule of mixture results. The present results are observed to be in line with the experimental results from the literature.