Aluminum matrix composites reinforced by molybdenum-coated carbon nanotubes

To extend the application of carbon nanotubes （CNTs） and explore novel aluminum matrix composites,CNTs were coated by molybdenum layers using metal organic chemical vapor deposition,and then Mo-coated CNT （Mo-CNT）/Al composites were prepared by the combination processes of powder mixing and spark plasma sintering.The influences of powder mixing and Mo-CNT content on the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the composites were investigated.The results show that magnetic stirring is better than mechanical milling for mixing the Mo-CNTs and Al powders.The electrical conductivity of the composites decreases with increasing Mo-CNT content.When the Mo-CNT content is 0.5wt%,the tensile strength and hardness of Mo-CNT/Al reach their maximum values.The tensile strength of 0.5wt% Mo-CNT/Al increases by 29.9%,while the electrical conductivity only decreases by 7.1%,relative to sintered pure Al.The phase analysis of Mo-CNT/Al composites reveals that there is no formation of Al carbide in the composites.

CONDUCTIVE COMPOSITES FROM POLYPYRROLE ELECTROPOLYMERIZED IN A POLYURETHANE MATRIX

In order to improve the mechanical properties of polypyrrole, composites were made by electropolymerizing polypyrrole in a polyurethane matrix. Polypyrrole/polyurethane (PPY/PU) composite films containing CLO_4^-, BF_4^- or CH_3-C_6H_4-SO_3^- counter ions were made in a variety of solvent systems and characterized by SEM, electronic conductivity, FTIR, and mechanical properties. Composite films showing much greater fiexibility than pure polypyrrole were obtained, but their electronic conductivities were substantially lower. Measured eonductivities ranged from 0.001 to 8 S/cm, tensile strengths from 44 to 592 psi, and elongation to failure from 3 to 70%.

Topology Optimization of Stiffener Layout Design for Box Type Load-Bearing Component under Thermo-Mechanical Coupling

The structure optimization design under thermo-mechanical coupling is a difficult problem in the topology optimization field.An adaptive growth algorithm has become a more effective approach for structural topology optimization.This paper proposed a topology optimization method by an adaptive growth algorithm for the stiffener layout design of box type load-bearing components under thermo-mechanical coupling.Based on the stiffness diffusion theory,both the load stiffness matrix and the heat conduction stiffness matrix of the stiffener are spread at the same time to make sure the stiffener grows freely and obtain an optimal stiffener layout design.Meanwhile,the objectives of optimization are the minimization of strain energy and thermal compliance of the whole structure,and thermo-mechanical coupling is considered.Numerical studies for square shells clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed method for stiffener layout optimization under thermo-mechanical coupling.Finally,the method is applied to optimize the stiffener layout of box type load-bearing component of themachining center.The optimization results show that both the structural deformation and temperature of the load-bearing component with the growth stiffener layout,which are optimized by the adaptive growth algorithm,are less than the stiffener layout of shape‘#’stiffener layout.It provides a new solution approach for stiffener layout optimization design of box type load-bearing components under thermo-mechanical coupling.

Thermal properties of diamond/Al composites by pressure infiltration:comparison between methods of coating Ti onto diamond surfaces and adding Si into Al matrix

This study was pertained to the effects of Ti coating on diamond surfaces and Si addition into Al matrix on the thermal conductivity（TC） and the coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE） of diamond/Al composites by pressure infiltration.The fracture surfaces,interface microstructures by metal electro-etching and interfacial thermal conductance of the composites prepared by two methods were compared.The results reveal that Ti coating on diamond surfaces and only12.2 wt% Si addition into Al matrix could both improve the interfacial bonding and increase the TCs of the composites.But the Ti coating layer introduces more interfacial thermal barrier at the diamond/Al interface compared to adding 12.2 wt% Si into Al matrix.The diamond/Al composite with 12.2 wt% Si addition exhibits maximum TC of 534 W·m^-1·K^-1and a very low CTE of 8.9×10^-6K^-1,while the coating Ti-diamond/Al composite has a TC of 514 W·m^-1·K^-1 and a CTE of 11.0×10^-6K^-1.