Elastic modulus of multiwalled carbon nanotubes reinforced aluminium matrix nanocomposite – A theoretical approach

Owing to its superior mechanical, thermal and electrical properties carbon nanotubes have attracted researchers from different disciplines. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with the outstanding Young’s modulus of 1 TPa, tensile strength of 63 GPa and high aspect ratio are among the strongest and stiffest reinforcements. These remarkable mechanical properties make MWCNTs ideal candidate as reinforcement in metal, polymer and ceramic matrix nanocomposites. s work, aluminium matrix reinforced with MWCNTs was fabricated by powder metallurgy technique followed by hot extrusion. The Young’s modulus of MWCNTs is back calculated by applying the shear lag model. The modulus estimated was 897 GPa which is close to the theoretical value of 1 TPa.