U.S.-Egypt Cooperative Research: Carbon-Nanotube Reinforced Aluminium Composites- A Dual Matrix Approach

描述：该项目支持加州圣地亚哥州立大学机械工程系Khaled Morsi博士的合作研究。埃及的合作者是埃及开罗美国大学的Amal Esawi博士。他们计划用双矩阵方法研究碳纳米管增强铝复合材料。由于最近报道的碳纳米管(CNTs)优异的力学和电学性能，它们目前被认为是潜在的增强剂，可以为复合材料工业提供相当大的好处。然而，最近的研究表明，纳米管在金属基质中的分布/分散不良是一个主要问题。此外，由于碳纳米管具有很高的长径比，在相对较低的增强体分数下，碳纳米管脆性相的互连有望导致复合材料‘’S延性的灾难性下降。到目前为止，这些障碍阻碍了纳米管增强金属基复合材料的发展。该项目致力于解决微结构设计的新策略，以克服这些缺点，并促进纳米管基纳米复合材料的科学和技术发展。主要优点：主要目的是对单基和双基碳纳米管-铝(Al)新型复合材料的加工-组织-性能关系有一个基本的了解。明确了三个目标。1.采用机械合金化法制备碳纳米管-铝复合粉末，并对其增强相分布和复合颗粒大小进行表征。2.热挤压碳纳米管-铝单、双基复合材料。3.评价碳纳米管-铝单、双基复合材料的力学性能。预计这项研究的结果也将对其他NT金属化合物具有基础价值。BROADER影响：该项目有望加强两国之间的国际科学关系，特别是在这样一个新兴的研究领域。该项目将让研究生和本科生共同参与双方的研究和教育活动。少数民族和女学生的参与将通过现有的PI制度实现。PIS计划每年就金属基复合材料和碳纳米管作为未来潜在学生(小学和高中)增强剂的潜力进行一般性介绍。还将通过在主要期刊、会议演讲和工业研讨会上联合撰写的出版物进行国际和工业教育，作为研究成果的技术转移和教育工具。已发表的成果将被纳入两国的研究生/高本科生课程。基础设施将通过开发小型挤压钻机得到加强。该项目得到了美国-埃及联合基金计划的支持，该计划为两国的科学家和工程师提供资助，以开展这些合作活动。

0710869MorsiDescription: This project supports collaborative research by Dr. Khaled Morsi, Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California. The Egyptian collaborator is Dr. Amal Esawi, American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. They plan to study Carbon-Nanotube Reinforced Aluminum Composites in a Dual Matrix Approach. Because of recently reported exceptional mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), they are currently considered as potential reinforcements that can provide considerable benefits to the composite materials industry. Recent research has however shown that poor distribution/dispersion of the nanotubes within the metallic matrix, is a major problem. Furthermore, due to the very high aspect ratios of CNTs, at relatively low reinforcement volume fractions, the interconnectivity of the carbon nanotube brittle phase is expected to lead to a catastrophic drop in the composite''s ductility. To date these impediments have hindered the development of nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites. This project addresses new strategies for microstructural design that should overcome these shortcomings, & promote the scientific & technological development of nanotube-based nanocomposites.INTELLECTUAL MERIT: The main aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the processing-microstructure-property relations for single and dual matrix CNT- aluminum (Al) novel composites. Three objectives are specified. 1. To manufacture CNT-Al composite powders by the mechanical alloying process, and to characterize the distribution of reinforcements and composite particle size. 2. To hot extrude bulk well-dispersed CNT-Al single and dual matrix composites. 3. To evaluate the mechanical properties of CNT-Al single and dual matrix composites. It is expected that results from this research will also be of fundamental value to other NT-metal composites.BROADER IMPACTS: The project is expected to enhance the international scientific relations between the two countries, especially in such an emerging research area. The project will involve of both graduates and undergraduates in the research & educational activities on both sides. Involvement of Minority & Women students will be realized through the existing PI institution system. The PIs plan to annually give a general presentation on metal matrix composites and the potential of CNTs as reinforcements to potential future students (elementary-High school). International & Industrial education through jointly authored publications in the leading journals, conference presentations & industrial seminars will also be pursued as technology transfer and education tools for the research results. Published results will be incorporated in graduate/upper undergraduate level courses in both countries. Infrastructure will be enhanced through the development of a small-scale extrusion rig. This project is being supported under the US-Egypt Joint Fund Program, which provides grants to scientists and engineers in both countries to carry out these cooperative activities.