Development of Al2014/Nano Carbon Black Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites

Nano-metal-matrix composites (NMCs) are novel composite materials in which nano-phase such as nano-particles, nano-rods, nano-structured materials are reinforced with metals or alloys to improve the physical, mechanical, wear and other properties. The results of previous works have shown that the addition of nanoclay reinforcement to aluminium alloys has improved the hardness, tensile strength and Young’s modulus. Hence, the present work is focused on development and characterisation of nanoclay reinforced NMCs. Evaluating the effect of the reinforcement on the important physical properties such as corrosion properties studies were carried out. The recorded results from all tests were discussed in detail with supporting evidences. Optical microstructures confirmed the incorporation of Carbon black in Al matrix. Grain size measurement was done by two phase linear analysis method and the SEM, optical microscopy and XRD were used to observe the microstructure for CB dispersion and the particulate distribution in the composites. It was observed that the distribution of CB particles in the matrix was even without any visible accumulation. It was noticed that there was an increase in density of the MMCs with the increase in the weight percentage of the reinforcement. The corrosion by weight loss of the composite decreased with increase in the weight percentage of the reinforcement. The conclusions drawn indicate the important results and outcome of the work.   Keywords: Nano-metal-matrix composites (NMCs), Aluminium alloys, XRD.