Types of CNT:-

1. Single walled Nano tubes

2. Multi walled Nano tubes

On the basis of atomic arrangement CNTs are of 3 types:-

1. Zigzag
2. Armchair
3. Chiral structures

Mechanical properties:-
 High stiffness
 High modulus of elasticity
 Low density

Electrical properties:-
 Tunneling conductance is a direct measure of local electron density of states of CNT
 Two-third of the tube is semi-conducting
 One-third off the tube is metallic
 Conductivity: 10^7 to 10^8 S/m MWNT
 Resistivity: 10^-7 to 10^-8 ohm-m metallic
 Thermal conductivity: 6000W/mk

Preparation Nano composites

To tailor and optimize the properties of these two combined materials it is necessary to disperse the
CNTs homogeneously with the sustenance of strong interaction, and adhesion between the matrix and
fillers.

Solution mixing

 This is the simplest and most widely used method for processing CNT/polymer Nano composites
in which CNT and polymer are mixed with a suitable solvent which evaporates in a controlled
condition after forming Nano composite films on the surface of the substrate.
 A large range of polymers like PMMA, PVA, polystyrene has been processed by this method.
 Functional groups are added to improve the dispersion on CNTs in the polymer matrix.

Melt processing

 Used for thermoplastic polymers

 This method involves melting of polymer to form viscous liquid followed by blending with CNTs.
The dispersion of CNTs can be improved by shear mixing which can be achieved by extrusion
and injection molding techniques
 This technique is considered as less efficient than the solution mixing because high viscosity of
thermoplastic polymers leads to hindrance in achieving uniform dispersion of CNTs
IN- situ polymerization

 In this technique, monomers are the starting materials rather than polymers.
 The main advantage of this technique is that it enables the grafting of polymer molecules on
CNT which leads to the better dispersion coefficients and better interactions between CNT and
polymeric host matrix.
 This technique usually deals with the polymers which are insoluble and thermally unstable and
cannot be processed by solution mixing and melts processing.

Covalent functionalization

 It is based on the covalent linkage between carbon and other functional groups.
 The addition of functional groups may take place at the end caps, side walls or defects.
 End caps and defects can be functionalized by oxidation, during purification of CNTs at high
temperature and by using strong oxidizing agents.
 Side wall fluorination of CNTs for better dispersion.

Non-covalent functionalization

 Covalent functionalization method damages the structure of CNT

 In this method the network or connections between molecules is obtained without any chemical
bonds.
 This is achieved by wrapping molecules helically around the CNTs, by forming van der Waals
bonds between planar groups and CNT walls, p–p interactions, electrostatic attraction,
surfactants etc.

Note:

 Preparation CNT/polymer Nano composites by free radical polymerization of an imidazolium

ion-based ionic liquid bearing a methacrylate group.
 Reported a 120-fold enhancement of the Young’s modulus at a 7 wt.% loading of SWNTs. In this
dispersion approach, due to strong interfacial interaction, slipping of entrapped polymer
molecules was suppressed and intertubular carrier transport was also facilitated.
 Along with dispersion, aspect ratio, length on CNTs and alignment of CNTs into the matrix also
changes the various properties of composites

Imp:

Structural properties of these CNT/polymer Nano composites are very important in aerospace field as
paints, anti-radar protectors, antistatic, etc. The electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effects of
MWNT/polymer were studied the results indicated that shielding was done by absorption and
reflection .Due to heat absorbing capability, these Nano composites can be used in aerospace industries
as electromagnetic wave absorption materials
Aluminium Matrix Composites:-
 Continuous fibre reinforced aluminium matrix composite (CFR-AMC) is a low-
density material with exceptional mechanical properties.
 AMCs provide an opportunity to significantly reduce component mass and
improve performance.
 Highly loaded steel or cast iron components can be replaced by lightweight parts
with no increase in package size.
 Aluminium components can be significantly reduced in volume, which is of great
importance when the package envelope is restricted.

FIGURE 1. MICROGRAPH OF ALUMINA FIBRE INFILTRATED WITH ALUMINIUM VIA CMT’S PATENTED ALPF

PROCESS

 There is little overlap with applications that utilise carbon fibre reinforced polymer
composites (CFRP).
 Unlike CFR-AMC, these materials are unsuitable for many highly loaded, discrete
components, particularly those subject to off-axis, unexpected or complex load
conditions. Crash performance, repairability, robustness at elevated temperatures and
cost are all inhibitors to CFRP use – something that cannot be said for CFR-AMC.
 Most industrial sectors make extensive use of aluminium castings and forgings, which
can be readily replaced with higher performance AMC components.
 CMT use a preform manufactured from ‘Nextel’ alumina fibre, supplied by 3M.
 Alumina is the native oxide of aluminium, is chemically inert and therefore does not react
when embedded inside the pure aluminium matrix.
 The fibre preform can be either filament wound or woven.
 Fibre density, and therefore cost, is lower when the material is woven, and post-
processing of the preform is simplified.
 When woven to align the fibre predominantly in the X-direction, performance is
equivalent to that of fully unidirectional fibre.
Reinforcement of aluminium using CNT:-

Aluminum matrix composite rods in which tightly bonded multi-walled carbon

nanotubes(MWNTs) are separately dispersed and uniaxially aligned have been fabricated by
hot extrusion of ball-milled powders. The reinforcing efficiency of MWNTs in the composites
follows the volume fraction rule of discontinuous fibers in the grain size range down to 70 nm.

Main Challenges:-

High dispersion of CNTs

Strong interfacial bonding