Effect of processing parameters on the microstructural and mechanical properties of aluminum–carbon nanotube composites produced by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

Abstract Spark plasma sintering (SPS) has been recognized, in the recent past, as a very useful method to produce metal matrix composites with enhanced mechanical and wear properties. Obviously, the material's final properties are strongly related to the reinforcement types and percentages as well as to the processing parameters employed during synthesis. The present paper analyses the effect of 0.5 and 1% of carbon nanotubes addition on the mechanical and microstructural behavior of Al-based metal matrix composites produced via SPS. The microstructural and mechanical behavior is analyzed as a function of the SPS parameters: heating rate, sintering temperature and pressure.