Preparation and Microstructure of Carbon Nanotube-Toughened Alumina Composites

• YAMAMOTO Go

  Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University Fracture and Reliability Research Institute, Tohoku University

• HASHIDA Toshiyuki

  Fracture and Reliability Research Institute, Tohoku University

• OMORI Mamoru

  Fracture and Reliability Research Institute, Tohoku University

• KIMURA Hisamichi

  Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University

Abstract

Engineering ceramics have high stiffness, excellent thermostability and relatively low density, but their brittleness impedes their use as structural materials. Incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a brittle ceramic might be expected to produce CNT/ceramic composites with both high toughness and high temperature stability. Until now, however, materials fabrication difficulties have limited research on CNT/ceramic composites. The mechanical failure of CNT/ceramic composites reported previously is primarily attributed to poor CNTs-matrix connectivity and severe phase segregation. The connectivity with, and uniform distribution within the matrix are essential structural requirements for the stronger and tougher CNT/ceramic composites. Here we show that a novel processing approach based on the precursor method for synthesis of Al₂O₃ and acid-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) can diminish the phase segregation, and render MWCNT/Al₂O₃ composites highly homogeneous. Combined with mechanical interlock induced by the chemically modified MWCNTs, this approach leads to improved mechanical properties. Direct toughness measurements, using the single edge notched beam method, reveal that only 0.9 vol.% acid-treated MWCNT addition results in 25% increases in fracture toughness (5.90±0.27 MPa·m^1/2).

Journal

• Journal of Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering

  Journal of Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering 3 (2), 85-95, 2009

  The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers

Keywords

• Carbon Nanotube
• Ceramic-Based Composite
• Surface Modification
• Precursor Method
• Fracture Toughness

Details

• CRID: 1390001205265048064
• NII Article ID: 130000667642
• DOI: 10.1299/jmmp.3.85
• ISSN: 18809871
• Web Site: http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jmmp/3/2/3_2_85/_pdf
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed