Use of carbon nanotubes as reinforcements or interface modifiers in MMCs ‒ SCI-SB-DM ‐ EPFL

During the PhD thesis of J. Yang, new magnesium matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes were obtained for the first time by powder metallurgy. These composites exhibit a high elastic modulus with a high damping capacity. On the other hand multi-walled carbon nanotubes were used to modify the fiber-matrix interfaces in aluminum alloys reinforced with alumina short fibers. A theoretical model was proposed to account for the benefic effect of the carbon nanotubes on the interface stress relaxation mechanism.

Publications (2000-2005)
J. Yang and R. Schaller, “Mechanical spectroscopy of Mg reinforced with Al₂O₃ short fibres and C nanotubes.”, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 370 , 512-515, (2004).

E. Carreño-Morelli, J. Yang, E. Couteau, K. Hernadi, J. W. Seo, C. Bonjour, L. Forró, and R. Schaller, “Carbon nanotube/magnesium composites”, phys. stat. sol.(a) 201 , R53-R55, (2004).

M. Daraktchiev, B. Van de Moortèle, R. Schaller, E. Couteau and L. Forró, “Effects of Carbon Nanotubes on Grain Boundary Sliding in Zirconia Polycrystals.”, Adv. Mater. 17, 88-91, (2005).