CNT/2009Al Aluminum Matrix Composite Sheet Forming for a V-Shaped Skin Part

Abstract

The carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminum sheet with 2.0 mm thickness was hot rolled. The friction stirring process (FSP) was applied to make the reinforcements dispersion uniform. A finite element simulation was conducted to optimize the forming parameters of a V-shaped skin part. It should be formed in two passes, and the bottom corner radius is advisable to be greater than R = 30 mm in the first pass. The V-shaped skin part was successfully formed and the profile accuracy error was less than 0.2 mm. The part's mechanical properties show that the composite sheet still keeps a high strength after two thermal procedures.