Microstructure and hardness properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with iron (iii) oxide nanoparticles and carbon nanotubesGefuge- und Harteeigenschaften von mit Eisen (iii) oxid-Nanopartikeln und Kohlenstoffnanorohren verstarkten Aluminiummatrix-Verbundwerkstoffen

This study focuses on the effects of iron (iii) oxide (Fe3O4) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the microstructure and hardness of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs). Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with iron (iii) oxide nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes having sample formulation of aluminum-5iron (iii) oxide-xcarbon nanotubes (Al-5Fe(3)O(4)-xCNT; x = 0 wt.%, 0.01 wt.%, 0.05 wt.%, 0.1 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%) were prepared using the powder metallurgy technique. Microstructural characterization revealed that the aluminum-5iron (iii) oxide exhibited a better microstructure relative to the aluminum-5iron (iii) oxide-xcarbon nanotubes counterparts which exhibited a defective microstructure. More so, the hardness results showed that the aluminum-5iron (iii) oxide exhibited the highest hardness value of 48.32 HRH 60. However, the defective microstructure observed in the aluminum matrix composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be attributed to the relatively lower hardness values of the aluminum-5Iron (iii) oxide-xcarbon nanotubes samples (22.87 HRH 60-40.24 HRH 60).

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of iron (iii) oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the microstructure and hardness of aluminum matrix composites. It shows that aluminum-iron (iii) oxide composites have a better microstructure and higher hardness value compared to aluminum-iron (iii) oxide-carbon nanotubes composites, which exhibit a defective microstructure and lower hardness values.