Titanium dioxide coated carbon nanofibers as a promising reinforcement in aluminum matrix composites fabricated by liquid pressing process

Carbon-nanofiber (CNF) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites were fabricated by a unique liquid pressing process. The mechanical properties of the CNF-Al composites, both with and without titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating layers on the CNF surface, have been studied. The compressive yield strength of the TiO2 coated CNF-Al composite dramatically increased (over nine times), as compared with that of an Al alloy. TiO2 coated CNFs are expected to be a highly sustainable and dispersible reinforcement for metal matrix composites (MMCs) that are fabricated by a metal melting process. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.