How hybrid reinforcing of nanocarbons strongly affects the balance between strength and ductility in aluminum matrix composites

Title : How hybrid reinforcing of nanocarbons strongly affects the balance between strength and ductility in aluminum matrix composites

Abstract:

Achieving an optimal balance between strength and ductility in aluminum (Al) matrix composites is vital for advanced structural applications. This study investigates the synergistic effects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) as hybrid reinforcements in Al composites, focusing on maximizing tensile strength and ductility through tailored reinforcement architecture. In this work, Al composites were fabricated with varying CNT and GNP ratios using a composite flake assembly process, to explore how these reinforcements interact within the matrix. The results demonstrate that the combination of CNTs and GNPs yields a significant synergistic strengthening effect, achieving superior mechanical properties compared to individual reinforcements. Specifically, a remarkable tensile strength of 420MPa increase was observed with hybrid reinforcement, attributed to the formation of a robust planar network of RGO and CNT that enhances load transfer and interfacial bonding. This study authenticated the importance of hybrid reinforcement architecture to fully take the advantage of the superior properties of various reinforcements and presents a cost-effective and feasible approach for the design of high-performance metal matrix composites.

Biography:

Dr. Behzad Sadeghi is a senior researcher in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions at the Erich Schmid Institute for Materials Science of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. He received his PhD in nanotechnology from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, focusing on aluminum matrix composites. He has held postdoctoral positions at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the College of Salento, Italy, among others. His research experience includes high-performance metal matrix composites, severe plastic deformation and the correlation between microstructure, processand properties. He has authored over 87 publications and actively contributes to academic journals and international conferences.