Effect of Shortening Carbon Nanotubes on Carbon Nanotube Dispersion, Damage and Mechanical Behavior of Carbon Nanotube-Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

Abstract

Carbon nanotube dispersion in metallic matrices has been a challenge for many years. This paper investigates for the first time whether shortened carbon nanotubes as a starting material could promote improved carbon nanotube dispersion and promote less carbon nanotube damage when dispersed in metals. Aluminum-carbon nanotube nanocomposites were prepared using two carbon nanotube lengths (644nm and 10–30 μm). The nanocomposites prepared with shortened carbon nanotubes showed less carbon nanotube damage, higher microhardness, smaller matrix grain size, and improved dispersion of the carbon nanotubes as compared to the nanocomposites prepared with longer carbon nanotubes. Results suggest major implications for the use of even shorter carbon nanotubes for metal matrix composites.