(186ak) Metal-Encapsulated Carbon Nanotubes to Enhance Dispersion in Metal Matrix Composites

Since their discovery, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been investigated for their incredible physical, electrical, and thermal properties. Harnessing these properties in a usable form has proven challenging. Adding CNTs to metals to form metal-matrix composites (MMCs) can potentially achieve significant increases to base metal properties; however, current composite properties are limited due to CNT aggregation and poor interfacial bonding between the metal and CNT. We have demonstrated a method to encapsulate individual, or small bundles of, CNTs in a metal-shell without the use of vacuum processing. This encapsulation process improves the dispersion of CNTs within a metal composite and increases the bonding between the CNT and metal matrix. Using this encapsulation process we have shown that a steel composite added Fe-encapsulated CNTs improves axial fatigue life by greater vs. plain steel.