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Evaluation of CNT Dispersion Methodology Effect on Mechanical Properties of an AlSi Composite

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Abstract

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of different dispersion methodologies on mechanical properties of the aluminum-silicon (AlSi) composites reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with Ni. Different mixing procedures of MWCNTs with AlSi powder were tested, and AlSi-CNT composites were produced by hot pressing—powder metallurgy technique. The shear tests were performed to get the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy with x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis and thermal analysis was used to investigate the microstructure of AlSi-CNT composites, interface reactions, and fracture morphology after shear tests. The experimental results proved that an improvement of dispersion of CNTs was achieved by using a combination of different mixing processes.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology through the project references PTDC/EME-PME/68664/2006 and EXCL/EMS-TEC/0460/2012.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CT2M – Centre for Mechanical and Materials Technologies, University of Minho, Azurem, 4800-058, Guimaraes, Portugal

    O. Carvalho, D. Soares, F. S. Silva & G. Miranda

  2. Cross–Border Faculty of Humanities, Economics and Engineering, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galaţi, Domnească 47, 800008, Galati, Romania

    M. Buciumeanu

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  1. O. Carvalho
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  2. M. Buciumeanu
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Correspondence to F. S. Silva.

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Carvalho, O., Buciumeanu, M., Soares, D. et al. Evaluation of CNT Dispersion Methodology Effect on Mechanical Properties of an AlSi Composite. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 24, 2535–2545 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1510-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1510-5

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