Study of interfacial behavior on the damping characteristics of aluminum (Al)-Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, MWCNTs-multi-walled carbon nanotubes of distinct reinforcement with Al matrix composite were fabricated by a novel route of dispersing Al-CNTs precursor, then integrated with compaction technique and sinter-forged process. The microstructural and dynamic behavior of as-produced Al-MWCNT composites were investigated, and the interfacial reaction was studied on the damping behavior of Al-CNT nanocomposite. Findings reveal a formation of aluminum carbide (Al4C3) formation at Al-CNT interface layers. A reaction arose at locations with an amorphous carbon coating at open ends of CNTs, in as-produced Al–CNT composites, carbon nanotubes with a wt. % of 0.75 has a solid interfacial interaction and obtained a damping capacity of 875 × 10−3 and a storage modulus of 82.9 GPa with a frequency of 1 Hz. This results in effective load transmission between the Al matrix and CNT, improving the dynamic behavior of the composite. However, the formation of the aluminum carbide phase contributes to the damping capacity of the aluminum reinforced with the wt. % of 0.75 and 1.0 CNT composite, which increases by 40 % and 21 % as compared to pure Al, whereas CNTs are identified as a capable coating for Al matrix to raise high absorb capacity at elevated temperatures subjected to the formation of Al4C3 phase without losing the mechanical behavior of the Al matrix.