Pressureless Sintering of Carbon Nanotube-Al₂O₃ Composites

Abstract

Alumina ceramics reinforced with 1, 3, or 5 vol.% multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were densified by pressureless sintering. Commercial CNTs were purified by acid treatment and then dispersed in water at pH 12. The dispersed CNTs were mixed with Al2O3 powder, which was also dispersed in water at pH 12. The mixture was freeze dried to prevent segregation by differential sedimentation during solvent evaporation. Cylindrical pellets were formed by uniaxial pressing and then densified by heating in flowing argon. The resulting pellets had relative densities as high as not, vert, similar99% after sintering at 1500 °C for 2 h. Higher temperatures or longer times resulted in lower densities and weight loss due to degradation of the CNTs by reaction with the Al2O3. A CNT/Al2O3 composite containing 1 vol.% CNT had a higher flexure strength (not, vert, similar540 MPa) than pure Al2O3 densified under similar conditions (not, vert, similar400 MPa). Improved fracture toughness of CNT-Al2O3 composites was attributed to CNT pullout. This study has shown, for the first time, that CNT/Al2O3 composites can be densified by pressureless sintering without damage to the CNTs.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Al2O3; Carbon Nanotubes; Composites; Mechanical Properties

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0955-2219

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2010 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2010

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