Insight into reactions and interface between boron nitride nanotube and aluminum
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Virendra Singh AMPAC and Nanoscience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816
Lu Hua Li and Tan Xing ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria 3216, Australia
Sudipta Seal AMPAC and Nanoscience Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida 32816
Ying Chen ARC Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials, Institute for Technology Research and Innovation, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
Arvind Agarwala) Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Plasma Forming Lab, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33174 (Received 13 April 2012; accepted 7 August 2012)
Nature and mechanism of interfacial reactions between boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and aluminum matrix at high temperature (650 °C) are studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). This study analyzes the feasibility of the use of BNNTs as reinforcement in aluminum matrix composites for structural application, for which interface plays a critical role. Thermodynamic comparison of aluminum (Al)-BNNT with analogous Al-carbon nanotube (Al-CNT) system reveals lesser amount of reaction in the former. Experimental observation also reveals thin (;7 nm) reaction-product formation at Al-BNNT interface even after 120 min of exposure at 650 °C. The spatial distribution of the reaction-product species at the interface is governed by the competitive diffusion of N, Al, and B. Morphology of the reaction products are influenced by their orientation relationship with BNNT walls. A theoretical prediction on Al-BNNT interface in macroscale composite suggests the formation of strong bond between the matrix and reinforcement phase.
Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: agarwala@fiu.edu DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2012.294
of elastic modulus, hardness, fracture toughness, flexural strength, and high-temperature superplasticity.10–16 But, no report is available till date on metal matrix composites (MMCs), reinforced with BNNTs. Aluminum-based MMCs are very attractive for structural applications due to light weight, good corrosion resistance, and high thermal and electrical conductivity. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are structural analogue to BNNTs, are being researched for the past decade as a structural reinforcement to aluminum—primarily for the improvement of mechanical properties.17–25 However, carbon nanotube-reinforced aluminum matrix (Al-CNT) composites have not resulted in the expected mechanical properties primarily due to CNT dispersion challenges and related weak matrix-reinforcement interface.17,20,26 BNNT is a potential alternative to CNT for Al-matrix composites. Apart from having comparable elastic modulus and strength to CNTs, the structure of BNNT is more flexible
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Ó Materials Research Society 2012
I. INTRODUCTION
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), the seamless cylindrical structures made of hexagonal boron nitride sheets possess
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