Abstract

In recent years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced aluminium matrix composites have
attracted increasing attention. The quality of dispersion, however, is a crucial factor which
determines the homogeneity and final mechanical properties of these composites. Various
amounts of well-dispersed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to reinforce
an Al via a powder metallurgy technique. The microstructures of the nanocomposites are
observed in the optical metallurgical microscope. Pin-on-disk wear tests were performed
under different loading conditions of 10N, 20N and 30N, to evaluate the wear and
tribological properties of the different weight ratios of Al –MWCNT nanocomposites. In
comparison with the Al , the addition of MWCNTs decreased the coefficient of friction in Al
–MWCNT nanocomposites .The results show that additions of MWCNTs can upgrade the Al
and convert it into a wear resistance material. The MWCNTs played dual roles in improving
the tribological performance of the nanocomposites, indirectly by influencing the
microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocomposites and directly by acting as a
lubricating medium.

IV
 CONTENTS

CERTIFICATE I

DECLARATION II

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT III

ABSTRACT IV

LIST OF FIGURES V

LIST OF TABLES VII

LIST OF ABBREVATIONS VIII

CHAPTER 1 Page No
INTRODUCTION…………..………………………………………….….1
1.1 Overview of composites…………………………………………………2
1.2Merits of composites……………..……………………………………...3
1.3Classification of composite materials……………………....…………....3
1.3.1Metal matrix composites………………..………………………….4
1.3.2 Ceramic matrix composites….……………………………………..4
1.3.3 Polymer matrix composites….……………………………………..5
1.4 Nanocomposites…………………………………………….…………...5
1.5 Classification of composite materials…………………….……………..6
1.5.1Metal matrix composites……….………………………………..…6
1.5.2 Ceramic matrix composites………………………………………...7
1.5.3 Polymer matrix composites.......................................................…....7
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY…………………….………………………….8
CHAPTER 3
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE WORK……………….………..10
CHAPTER 4
MATERIAL SELECTION………………………………………….….12
4.1 Base materials…………………………………………………………13
4.2 Reinforcing material…………………………………………………..13
CHAPTER 5
METHODOLOGY……………….……………………………………..15
CHAPTER 6
EXPERIMENTATION………….………………………………………17
6.1 Fabrication method………..………………………..…………………18
6.1.1 Synthesis of carbon nanotubes………………………………........18
6.1.2 Powder Metallurgy technique……………...……………………..19
6.1.3 Sintering process………………………………………………….21

6.2 Microstructure of nanocomposites………………….............................23

6.3 Wear testing…………………………………………………………...23
6.3.1 Classification of wear…………………………………………….23
6.3.2 Methods of wear testing………………………………………….25
6.3.3 Pin-On-Disc apparatus used for experiment….…………………..25
CHAPTER 7
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION……….……………………………...27
7.1 Microstructure of Al/MWCNT nanocomposites……………………....28
7.2 Wear testing results…………………………………………………….31
CHAPTER 8
CONCLUSION….……………………………………………………37
CHAPTER 9
SCOPE OF FUTURE WORK……………………………………….39
BIBILIOGRAPHY……………………………………………………………………40
LIST OF FIGURES Page No

Fig1.1 Metal Matrix Composites………………………………………….........4

Fig 1.2 Ceramic Matrix Composites…………………………………….………4
Fig 1.3Polymer Matrix Composites…………………………………….………5
Fig 1.4 TEM of Aluminium Alloy-Al2O3 Nanocomposites……………………..6
Fig 1.5SEM of CMC Obtained From MTES-Derived PBS ….….…………….7
Fig 1.6Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites……………………………………….7
Fig 4.1 Atomic Structure of Aluminium………….……………….…………...13
Fig 4.2 Aluminium Powder……………………………………………………13
Fig 4.3 Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube……………………………...............14
Fig 4.3 Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube……………………………................14
Fig 6.1 U-Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube…....................................................18
Fig 6.2 Basic Powder Metallurgy Process……………………………………..19
Fig 6.3 Powder Compacted Wear Test Specimen……………………..............20
Fig 6.4 Sintering Process………………………………………………………21
Fig 6.5 Electrical Furnace……………………………………………………..21
Fig 6.6 Machining of Sintered Specimen……………………………………..22
Fig 6.7 Finished Specimen for Wear Testing…………………………............22
Fig 6.8 Abrasive Wear.......................................................................................24
Fig 6.9 Adhesive Wear.................................................................................….24
Fig 6.10 Oxidation Wear.............................................................................…..24
Fig 6.11 Methods Of Wear Test………............................................................25
Fig 6.12 Pin-On-Disc Apparatus……………………………………………...25
Fig 6.13 Steel disc of the apparatus…………………………………………...26
Fig 6.14 Experimental Arrangement of Specimen……………………………26
Fig 7.1 Optical Metallurgical Microscope…………………………………….28
Fig 7.2 Microstructure Test Specimen………………………………………...28
Fig 7.3 Microstructure of Pure Al Specimen……….…………………………29
Fig 7.4 Microstructure of Al+0.5%MWCNT Specimen…………….…..........29
Fig 7.5 Microstructure of Al+1%MWCNT Specimen…….…………….........30
Fig 7.6 Microstructure of Al+2%MWCNT Specimen….……………….........30
Fig 7.7 Line Diagram of Specimen……………………………………………31
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Fig 7.8 Weight Loss Vs Load Chart for Pure Al….….……………………….33
Fig 7.9 Weight Loss Vs Load Chart for Al+0.5%MWCNT………….………33
Fig 7.10 Wear Rate Vs Load Chart…..……………………………………….34
Fig 7.11Wearand Friction Coefficient Graph For
Pure Al for 1kg Load……………….…………………………………34
Fig 7.12Wearand Friction Coefficient Graph For
Pure Al for 3kg Load……………….…………………………………35
Fig 7.13Wearand Friction Coefficient Graph For
Al+0.5%MWCNT for 1kg Load……………………………………..35
Fig 7.14Wearand Friction Coefficient Graph For
Al+0.5%MWCNT for 2kg Load……………………………………...36

VI
LIST OF TABLES Page No

Table 4.1 Properties of Aluminium and MWCNT…….………………………...16

Table 6.1 Nomenclatures of Nanocomposite Materials Fabricated……………...22
Table 7.1 Wear Test Results for Al/MWCNT Nanocomposites…........................34
Table 7.2 Wear Coefficient Results...............................................................…....35

VII
LIST OF ABBREVATIONS

1. ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials

2.MMC – Metal Matrix Composites

3. CMC – Ceramic Matrix Composites

4. PMC – Polymer Matrix Composites

5. CNT – Carbon Nanotube

6. MWCNT – Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube

7. SWCNT – Single-walled Carbon Nanotube

8. CVD – Chemical Vapor Deposition

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