Significance of sintering temperature and time on aluminium reinforced carbon nanotube and flyash composites

Abstract

In this work, powder metallurgy is used to produce hybrid aluminium composites reinforced with 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 wt% carbon nanotubes (CNTs) along with 4 wt% of Fly ash (FA). The green composites are subjected under different sintering temperature and sintering time to analyse the effect on the hardness property. The microstructure study is done using scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that sintering temperatures have the predominant effect on hardness properties. The sintering time has predominant effect only up to certain limit. The hardness decreased with increase in the amount of CNTs for all sintering temperature. The hardness and compression properties are improved pure aluminium. The microstructural investigation revealed good bonding between the reinforcements and matrix materials.