Carbon Nanoparticle‐Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites: Microstructural Tailoring and Predictive Modeling

Abstract

Nickel matrix composites are produced with concentrations of 0.5–10 vol% of carbon nanotubes (CNT), onion-like carbon (OLC), or nanodiamonds (nD) as reinforcement phase by hot pressing. The effect of the carbon nanoparticle (CNP) type and concentration on the microstructure is analyzed. Grain sizes are measured and a model is adapted to predict the observed grain refinement for all CNP. The individual saturation concentration and maximum achievable grain refinement differs (for CNT: 3 vol%, OLC: 6.5 vol% and nD: 10 vol%), which is correlated to the agglomerate diameter distribution. This can be traced back to different hybridization states and different particle geometries, therefore providing valuable information for CNP-reinforced Metal matrix composites to a general extent.