Interfacial characterization in carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum matrix composites
- Unité Matériaux Et Transformations, UMR CNRS 8207, Université Lille1, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq (France)
- LSPM, CNRS, Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, 99 Avenue J.B. Clément, 93430 Villetaneuse (France)
In this work, the effects of the sintering parameters, such as temperature and the techniques used (HP and SPS), on CNT/Al composite interfaces are studied. The major role of the native aluminum oxide (Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}) layer covering the aluminum grains is highlighted. It is shown that, for a sintering temperature below 620 °C, the amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer prevents the reaction between aluminum and carbon. For greater sintering temperatures, the breaking of the oxide layer due to its crystallization leads to the formation of aluminum carbide (Al{sub 4}C{sub 3}) by reaction between aluminum and the CNT. The Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} crystals grow perpendicularly to the matrix grain boundaries by thermally activated diffusion of the carbon atoms coming from the CNT. It is also demonstrated that, by limiting the sintering time, which is the case in SPS, it is possible to limit the growth of the Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} crystals and thus to preserve the CNT. - Highlights: • The high reactivity between CNT and Al matrix, resulting Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} formation during the sintering process is highlighted. • We demonstrate, thanks to in-situ TEM observations, that Al{sub 4}C{sub 3} crystals grow into aluminum grains by carbon diffusion. • The native aluminum oxide around the aluminum particles prevents the diffusion of carbon into the aluminum grains. • We show that the protective layer can be broken because of its crystallization, leading to the formation of Al{sub 4}C{sub 3}. • SPS, by limiting the sintering duration, is an interesting way for preparing CNT/Al composites without carbide formation.
- OSTI ID:
- 22587061
- Journal Information:
- Materials Characterization, Vol. 110; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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