Reinforcing carbon nanotubes (CNT) into aluminum powder matrix as a nanocomposite coating with enhanced properties

Abstract

In recent times, the rise of carbon nanotube is something that easily catches our eyes. Modern researches are more and more getting focused about the research of carbon nanotube related materials. Nowadays, state-of-the-art material is metal matrix composite where carbon nanotube is used as reinforcements. This is one such investigation to find the possible outcomes of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aluminum powder to form a metal matrix composite and apply that as a coating over a sample to observe the enhancement of physical and morphological properties and wear and tear resistance. This study drags attention towards formulating an effective procedure to uniformly disperse CNTs into aluminum powder matrix and then apply them as a coating to determine the properties of the coating. The results indicate that CNT-reinforced aluminum coatings have an improved corrosion resistance and enhanced mechanical strength of the sample. The composite coating exhibited a tensile strength of 90.8 MPa and flexural strength of 44.8 N-mm for coated samples experiencing an increase of 8.48 % and 5.66 % respectively from uncoated samples. The corrosion resistance of the coated sample increased by 49 % on average in four different acidic media compared to uncoated samples. Moreover, the findings of the research suggest that the incorporation of CNT into aluminum powder increases surface roughness, impact resistance, fracture toughness and structural properties of the matrix. Finally, it can be said that the findings contribute to the growing knowledge on CNT-reinforced metal matrix composites and their potential to revolutionize the materials landscape in aerospace applications.