Effects of CNT Addition on Mechanical Properties, Electric Conductivity and Oxidation Resistance of Al2O3-TiC Composite

Effects of carbon nanotubes (CNT) addition on mechanical properties, electric conductivity and oxidation resistance of CNT/Al2O3-TiC composite were investigated. It was found that flexural strength, Young’s modulus and fracture toughness of the composites were improved by addition of more than 2 vol%-CNT. In the composites with more than 3 vol%-CNT, the oxidation resistance of the composite was degraded. In comparison with Al2O3-26vol%TiC sample as TiC particle-percolated sample, the Al2O3-12vol%TiC-3vol%CNT sample, which is not TiC particle-percolated sample, shows almost the same mechanical properties and electric conductivity, and also shows thinner oxidized region after oxidation at 1200°C due to less TiC in the composite.