Fabrication and characterization of carbon nanotube reinforced magnesium matrix composites

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 318; pp. 234 - 243
• Main Authors: Mindivan, Harun, Efe, Arife, Kosatepe, A. Hadi, Kayali, E.Sabri
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aluminum; Chips; CNTs; Composite; Compressive strength; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Corrosion; Corrosion resistance; Corrosion tests; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Hardness; Hot extrusion; Magnesium; Magnesium base alloys; Magnesium chips; Mechanical properties; Physics; Scanning electron microscopy; Hot extrusion; Mechanical properties; Magnesium chips; Composite; Corrosion; CNTs; Composite materials; Carbon nanotubes; Extrusion; Magnesium
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.04.127

•Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced magnesium (Mg chips) matrix composite rod was successfully fabricated by mechanical ball milling, cold pressing and subsequently hot extrusion process without sintering step.•CNT content has effect on the microstructure, mechanical, corrosion and wear properties of the composites.•The small amount CNT addition to the Mg matrix improved the hardness, wear and corrosion resistances of the composites. In the present investigation, Mg chips are recycled to produce Mg–6wt.% Al reinforced with 0.5, 1, 2 and 4wt.% nanosized CNTs by mechanical ball milling, cold pressing and subsequently hot extrusion process without sintering step. The microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Mg/Al without CNT (base alloy) and composites were evaluated. The distribution of CNTs was analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analyzer and a Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRF). Microstructural analysis revealed that the CNTs on the Mg chips were present throughout the extrusion direction and the uniform distribution of CNTs at the chip surface decreased with increase in the CNT content. The results of the mechanical and corrosion test showed that small addition of CNTs (0.5wt.%) evidently improved the hardness and corrosion resistance of the composite by comparing with the base alloy, while increase in the CNT weight fraction in the initial mixture resulted in a significant decrease of hardness, compression strength, wear rate and corrosion resistance.