Study of Mechanical Properties of an LM24 Composite Alloy Reinforced with Cu-CNT Nanofillers, Processed Using Ultrasonic Cavitation

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of Cu-Carbon Nanotube (Cu-CNT´s) composite powders on the mechanical properties of an Al-Si9.5-Cu4-Fe1.3 wt.% (LM24) aluminium matrix composite (AMC). Carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) can exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, e.g. stiffness up to 1000 GPa and strength in the order of 100 GPa. In recent years there has been significant scientific interest in improving properties in conventional alloys, via fabricating CNT metal matrix composites in order to attempt to harness their extraordinary attributes. In this study mechanically alloyed Cu-CNTS powders were added to molten LM24. The melt was processed using ultrasonic cavitation and subsequently high pressure die casting to form as-cast tensile specimens. SEM results indicate that CNT’s can be successfully introduced into the melt using this method. Compared to the unreinforced alloy, the CNT additions resulted in an increment (~20±10 MPa) to both ultimate tensile strength and yield strength, with a corresponding decline (~1±0.5l %) in elongation. This observed increase in strengthening may be attributed to the CNT’s pinning and hindering both grain boundary and dislocation migration during applied loading. Interestingly, no significant difference in properties were found with an increase in the CNT content (from 0.05 to 0.1 wt.%) potentially indicating a saturation limit.