Nanoindentation studies on MWCNT/aluminum alloy 6061 nanocomposites

The nanomechanical behavior of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT)/aluminum alloy 6061 (AA6061) nanocomposites was studied for varying volume fractions of MWCNTs by nanoindentation. Nanoindentation testing on the matrix portion with dispersed MWCNTs indicated an increase in Youngʹs modulus by 21% and 22% and an increase in the nanohardness by 43% and 54% by the addition of 1 wt% and 2 wt% copper coated MWCNTs respectively. The microhardness and nanohardness of the nanocomposites were measured and compared. A comparison was made between the experimental values and various theoretical models to correlate Youngʹs modulus of the nanocomposite.