抄録
Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have superior mechanical properties and high thermal conductivity. For such reasons, the development of CNT-metal matrix composite is gaining wide research attention. In this study, Al/CNT composite was fabricated by powder metallurgy employing the slurry mixing process and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to overcome fabrication problems like agglomeration, which leads to the decrease in thermal conductivity and density.
Slurry precursors with homogeneously dispersed CNT were obtained by hetero-aggregation, with optimum amount of ethanol. By sintering these precursors, the composites densified up to more than 99% in relative density. Dispersion and orientation of CNTs were verified by FE-SEM observation of microstructure. The thermal conductivity of the composites decreased with increasing CNT content, and the corresponding thermal anisotropies are indicated. The thermal properties are improved by extending the holding time during sintering.
