Composite Materials reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The work of this Ph.D. thesis has been realised in the field of a promising and largely studied technological material: the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Since 1991 a large number of attempts have been conducted, trying to exploit the outstanding potential of this carbonaceous material, in order to improve the properties of several matrices. The most important application is the production of polymer matrices composites (PMCs), but in last decades an increasing number of metal matrix ones (MMCs) have been presented and recently also ceramic matrix (CMCs) applications have been attempted. Despite massive efforts focused on CNTs-composites, the potential of employing this reinforcement materials has not yet been fully exploited. This lack is substantially due to the difficulties associated with the dispersion of entangled carbon nanotubes during processing and poor interfacial interaction between CNTs and matrix materials. Because of these reasons the very first aspect of this work has been the study of the dispersion state of nanotubes. The aim of the experiments was not only to obtain a good dispersion and distribution of the CNTs, but also to evaluate their dispersion grade. Indeed, due to their nanosize and to their carbonaceous nature, few simple experimental techniques result suitable for this purpose. The second part of the work consisted in the application of the carbon nanotubes to the production of new materials for technological applications, with improved mechanical properties. Three composite materials with different matrices have been designed, developed and produced: a polymer matrix composite, a ceramic matrix and a metal matrix one. For PMCs a polyvinyl butyral matrix has been used and the composites were obtained by a deeply studied technique: the tape casting technology. The same approach was also used in the case of CMCs: tape casted silicon carbide matrix composites reinforced by carbon nanotubes have been produced. Finally a third matrix has been experimented: MMCs were investigated starting from pure aluminium powders. For Al matrix composites a particular technique was used: the sintering was obtained starting from a powder metallurgy approach and exploiting electric current and pressure (Electric Current Assisted Sintering approach). For all the three different composite materials, after the development of the production route and the preparation of several specimens, a characterization step followed. The materials were characterized in terms of physical properties, morphology and microstructure, and mechanical behaviour.