Investigation of Thermal Expansion and Physical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Nanocrystalline Aluminum Nanocomposite

Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced nanocrystalline aluminum matrix composites are fabricated by a simple and effective physical mixing method with sonication. In this study, the microstructural characterisations and property evaluations of the nanocomposites were performed. The structural characterisations revealed that CNTs were dispersed, embedded, and anchored within the metal matrix. A strong interfacial adhesion appeared between CNTs and nanocrystalline aluminum as a result of the fabrication process. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies also confirmed the surface adherence of CNTs with nanocrystalline aluminum matrix during the fabrication process. Thermal expansion behaviour of CNT-reinforced aluminum matrix composites was investigated up to 240 degrees C using a dilatometer. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the nanocomposites decreased continuously with the increasing content of CNTs. The maximum reduction of 82 % was found for 4 wt% CNTs in the nanocomposite. The coefficient of thermal expansion variation with CNTs was also compared with the predictions from the thermoelastic models. The expansion behaviour of the nanocomposites was correlated to the microstructure, internal stresses, and phase segregations. The electrical and thermal conductivity was also studied and was observed to decrease for all reinforced CNT weight fractions.