Al–C nanocomposites consolidated by back pressure equal channel angular pressing

Carbon nanoparticles in the form of carbon black were mixed with pure Al particles and consolidated using severe plastic deformation to produce Al–C nanocomposites. The Al particles were mixed with 2 and 5 wt.% C particles, respectively, by mechanical milling. The mixed powders were consolidated at 400 °C by equal channel angular pressing with the application of a back pressure into fully dense bulk composite materials. The nanoscaled C particles were well dispersed in the Al matrix, resulting in significantly higher strength as well as good plasticity in the nanocomposites.