Processing of an AAa7050/Al hybrid composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The development of carbon nanotubes reinforced metal matrix composites merits relevant attention due to its capacity of improve the hardness and strength of the metal. However, the production of this kind of composite presents many challenges, such as the dispersion and adhesion of carbon nanotubes in the metallic matrix, which may affect the composite consolidation. The present study aimed the development of composites using an age hardening aluminum alloy reinforced with 0.5 wt.% of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as well as a hybrid composite based on the mixture of pure aluminum powder and the former composite. AA7050 alloy and pure aluminum matrix composites were processed by ultrasonic mixing, hot pressing and hot extrusion. Subsequently, the materials were submitted to aging heat treatments. The samples were analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Vickers microhardness. It was verified the feasibility in manufacturing the composites by the powder metallurgy route proposed in this work. The AA7050 composite reinforced with 0.5 wt.% MWCNT presented higher hardness than other similar composites in the literature with higher carbon nanotubes content. The aged composite hardness increased 72% in comparison with the present one in the as extruded condition. (author)