Application of carbon nanofibers in additive manufacturing of aluminum matrix composites

Abstract

The possibility of using carbon nanofibers (CNF) in the production of aluminum matrix composite materials (AMC) by selective laser melting (SLM) has been experimentally shown. The powder composition based on the AlSi10Mg alloy with the addition of 0.5% (wt.) CNF was prepared by mechanical activation. The optimal parameters of the SLM process were determined to ensure the density of the synthesized AMC samples over 99%. The retention of CNFs in the AMC structure and the formation of Al4C3 inclusions, which have a higher strength and hardness as compared with the initial aluminum alloy AlSi10Mg, lead to strengthening of the synthesized material, the microhardness of which is 149 ± 8 HV, that is 20% higher than the hardness of the AlSi10Mg alloy.