Towards physical properties tailoring of carbon nanotubes-reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been considered as a new promising reinforcement for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) over the last decade, owing to their exceptional properties. CNT-reinforced CMCs posses a unique microstructure, nanoscale objects dispersed throughout ceramic matrix grain boundaries, which allows tailoring physical properties with an unprecedented combination of remarkable engineered transport properties as well as superior mechanical properties. However, gaining further control over challenging CNTs dispersion is still an important issue with the aim of tailoring multifunctional properties of CNT-reinforced CMCs. This paper reviews the current status of the research and describes all different approaches used to effectively disperse CNTs throughout ceramic matrices, providing an overview of composites microstructure and mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Besides, all findings reported till date point out a promising approach towards physical properties tailoring of CNT-reinforced ceramic CMCs. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.