Effects of Carbon Nanotube Ratio on Mechanical and Morphological Properties of A356-Carbon Nanotube Composites

H. Evlena, E. Akçaerb aKarabuk University, Department of Industrial Design Engineering, 78100 Karabuk, Turkey bKarabuk University, Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, 78100 Karabuk, Turkey

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In this study, CNT-A356 composites were obtained by reinforcing an aluminium alloy A356 matrix with 4 different ratios (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%) of carbon nanotubes, and hardness, wear and microstructure properties of these composites were investigated. Powder metallurgy method was used for producing composites. A356 powders and CNTs were mixed via ball milling for 1 h, and cold pressed in powder pressing mold. After that, mold was taken into a functional furnace, and hot pressing operation was carried out. Pressed bulk was sintered in a vacuum atmosphere (10-6 mbar) at 550° for 1 h. Hardness measurements, wear tests, and microstructure analyses of produced samples were performed. As a result of experimental studies, CNTs were observed to be located as agglomeration among matrix grains, and a more hollow structure was formed by increasing CNT ratio. Moreover, weight loss increased as hardness values decreased when CNT ratio exceeded 1%. The highest hardness value was measured in composite with 1% CNT.

DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.135.668 topics: nanotube, CNT, A356, composite, powder metallurgy\\vs*{5pt}