Effect of Nanoparticle Reinforcement in Metal Matrix for Structural Applications

Abstract

Some of the properties of materials which are critical for any aircraft are tensile strength, hardness and impact strength. The conventionally used Aluminium alloy (6000 series) metal matrix was chosen as parent metal alloy for the present work and Multi walled Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed into the matrix by stir casting method. Metal matrix composites (MMC) are prepared with MWCNTs content of 0.25% and 0.50% by mass of metal matrix. Tensile specimens were prepared according to relevant ASTM standards and testing was carried out. The properties obtained were compared with the parent Aluminium alloy properties. Increase in tensile strength of about 60.58% for 0.25% MWCNTs reinforced MMC and 107.94% for 0.5% MWCNTs reinforced MMC was observed when compared to pure parent Aluminium alloy. A similar observation was made when hardness of 0.25% MWCNTs reinforced MMC was found out to be 43.4% more and for 0.5% MWCNTs reinforced MMC, it was 79.9% more when compared to parent Aluminium alloy. Density of composites developed decreased by 4.17% and 12.87% for 0.25% and 0.50% MWCNTs reinforced MMC respectively when compared to parent Aluminium alloy. No improvement in the impact strength was observed. Finally, FE-SEM analysis was carried out to find out the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in metal matrix. Hence there were some improvements in certain properties which are critical for the structural applications in aircraft as well as automotive industry.