Composite Materials reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes

The work of this Ph.D. thesis has been realised in the field of a promising and largely studied technological material: the carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Since 1991 a large number of attempts have been conducted, trying to exploit the outstanding potential of this carbonaceous material, in order to improve the properties of several matrices. The most important application is the production of polymer matrices composites (PMCs), but in last decades an increasing number of metal matrix ones (MMCs) have been presented and recently also ceramic matrix (CMCs) applications have been attempted. Despite massive efforts focused on CNTs-composites, the potential of employing this reinforcement materials has not yet been fully exploited. This lack is substantially due to the difficulties associated with the dispersion of entangled carbon nanotubes during processing and poor interfacial interaction between CNTs and matrix materials. Because of these reasons the very first aspect of this work has been the study of the dispersion state of nanotubes. The aim of the experiments was not only to obtain a good dispersion and distribution of the CNTs, but also to evaluate their dispersion grade. Indeed, due to their nanosize and to their carbonaceous nature, few simple experimental techniques result suitable for this purpose. The second part of the work consisted in the application of the carbon nanotubes to the production of new materials for technological applications, with improved mechanical properties. Three composite materials with different matrices have been designed, developed and produced: a polymer matrix composite, a ceramic matrix and a metal matrix one. For PMCs a polyvinyl butyral matrix has been used and the composites were obtained by a deeply studied technique: the tape casting technology. The same approach was also used in the case of CMCs: tape casted silicon carbide matrix composites reinforced by carbon nanotubes have been produced. Finally a third matrix has been experimented: MMCs were investigated starting from pure aluminium powders. For Al matrix composites a particular technique was used: the sintering was obtained starting from a powder metallurgy approach and exploiting electric current and pressure (Electric Current Assisted Sintering approach). For all the three different composite materials, after the development of the production route and the preparation of several specimens, a characterization step followed. The materials were characterized in terms of physical properties, morphology and microstructure, and mechanical behaviou

Proceeding Of Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2016 (MERD’16)

This Open Access e-Proceeding contains a compilation of 105 selected papers from the Mechanical Engineering Research Day 2016 (MERD’16) event, which is held in Kampus Teknologi, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) - Melaka, Malaysia, on 31 March 2016. The theme chosen for this event is ‘IDEA. INSPIRE. INNOVATE’. It was gratifying to all of us when the response for MERD’16 is overwhelming as the technical committees received more than 200 submissions from various areas of mechanical engineering. After a peer-review process, the editors have accepted 105 papers for the e-proceeding that cover 7 main themes. This open access e-Proceeding can be viewed or downloaded at www3.utem.edu.my/care/proceedings. We hope that these proceeding will serve as a valuable reference for researchers. With the large number of submissions from the researchers in other faculties, the event has achieved its main objective which is to bring together educators, researchers and practitioners to share their findings and perhaps sustaining the research culture in the university. The topics of MERD’16 are based on a combination of fundamental researches, advanced research methodologies and application technologies. As the editor-in-chief, we would like to express our gratitude to the editorial board and fellow review members for their tireless effort in compiling and reviewing the selected papers for this proceeding. We would also like to extend our great appreciation to the members of the Publication Committee and Secretariat for their excellent cooperation in preparing the proceeding of MERD’16