Boron nitride nanotubes reinforced aluminum composites prepared by spark plasma sintering: Microstructure, mechanical properties and deformation behavior

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT) reinforced aluminum based composites are synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The concentration of BNNT is varied as 0, 2 and 5 vol% in the aluminum matrix. Micro-pillar compression testing revealed that Al–5 vol% BNNT has yield strength and compressive strength as 88 MPa and 216 MPa respectively, which is more than 50% improvement over unreinforced Al. BNNT play an active role in strengthening Al matrix through effective load bearing and transfer by crack bridging and sword in sheath mechanisms. Cold rolling of Al–5 vol% BNNT with 75% thickness reduction in a single pass exhibited high deformability without cracking or disintegration. The deformation is dominated by slip signifying ductile behavior in sintered Al with and without BNNT. BNNT survives the extreme temperature and pressure conditions during SPS processing and heavy deformation during cold rolling.