The Influence of Carbon Nanotube and Roll Bonding Parameters on the Bond Strength of Al Sheets

Abstract

This study investigates the bond strength of aluminum sheets subjected to the roll bonding process in the presence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The effects of MWCNTs dispersion, thickness reduction, weight fraction of MWCNTs at the interface, and rolling temperature on the bond strength of the commercial pure aluminum sheets are studied. The peeling test is used to evaluate the bond strength of aluminum sheets. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are also used to evaluate the surface conditions of the peeled surfaces. Results indicate that, compared to the spread method, using the solution dispersion method to disperse MWCNTs reduces aluminum sheet’s bond strength. Also, the presence of MWCNTs reduces the sheet’s bond strength compared to aluminum sheets at a constant thickness reduction. However, bond strength is increased with higher thickness reductions in the presence or absence of MWCNTs. It is also shown that increasing the entry temperature improves bond strength, but that bond strength enhancement is lower in aluminum-MWCNTs sheets than in aluminum-aluminum sheets.