Novel Al-matrix nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Novel Al-based nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes were produced by mechanical milling followed by pressure-less sintering at 823 K under vacuum. The interface between Al matrix and the multi-walled carbon nanotubes was examined using transmission electron microscopy. These observation showed that the multi-walled carbon nanotubes were not damaged during the preparation of the nanocomposite and that no reaction products were detected after sintering. The mechanical properties of sintered nanocomposites specimens were evaluated by a compression test. The yield stress (sigma(y)) and the maximum strength (sigma(max)) obtained were considerably higher than those reported in the literature for pure Al prepared by the same route. The values for sigma(y) and sigma(max) increase as the volume fraction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes increases. The milling time and the concentration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes have an important effect on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.