Fabrication of Ni-coated carbon nanotubes reinforced magnesium matrix composites

Abstract

CNTs are an effective reinforcement used to improve the mechanical of metal matrix composites. However, Ni-coated carbon nanotubes reinforced magnesium matrix composites have not been well understood. For this reason, Mg matrix nanocomposites containing 0.5 wt.%, 1.0 wt.%, Ni-coated CNTs was fabricated and the tensile fracture surface of composites was investigated. The UTS of the 0.5 wt.% CNTs/AZ91D composite is up to 410Mpa, which is 17% higher than that of AZ91D alloy. The fracture mode is the interface disengaged mechanism. The interface between Ni-coated CNTs and the Mg alloy transfers load when tensile fracture is happened.