Carbon Nanoparticle‐Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites: Microstructural Tailoring and Predictive Modeling1 . Issue 5 (31st January 2017) - Reinert, Leander
Abstract : Nickel matrix composites are produced with concentrations of 0.5–10 vol% of carbon nanotubes (CNT), onion‐like carbon (OLC), or nanodiamonds (nD) as reinforcement phase by hot pressing. The effect of the carbon nanoparticle (CNP) type and concentration on the microstructure is analyzed. Grain sizes are measured and a model is adapted to predict the observed grain refinement for all CNP. The individual saturation concentration and maximum achievable grain refinement differs (for CNT: 3 vol%, OLC: 6.5 vol% and nD: 10 vol%), which is correlated to the agglomerate diameter distribution. This can be traced back to different hybridization states and different particle geometries, therefore providing valuable information for CNP‐reinforced Metal matrix composites to a general extent. Abstract : This work studies the effect of different carbon nanoparticles (CNP) on the final microstructure in metal matrix composites. A model based on the Zener equation is adapted to predict the observed grain refinement for all CNP, which can be correlated to the mean CNP agglomerate diameter distribution. As information regarding hybridization state and particle morphology of CNP is considered, valuable information for CNP‐reinforced MMC is provided to a general extent.