Cast Aluminum Surface Reinforced with Carbon Nanotube via Solubilization Treatment

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are noteworthy, as they reinforce the metallic matrix, due to mechanical properties, such as the ~ 1.0 TPa Young module. To improve the maintenance of the commercially pure aluminum surface, multi-walled carbon nanotubes were incorporated into the aluminum surface with heat treatment by solid solubilization, in order to improve the surface properties of aluminum. The aluminum samples were chemically attacked for 30, 60 and 120 s and placed in a container with CNTs, being subjected to a temperature of 640 °C for 1 h. Then, the roughness was evaluated by a roughness meter for morphology in the scanning electron microscopy. An intensity of aggregation of CNTs was evaluated by XRD, and the Raman Spectra has evaluated the transfer of charge to the matrix. Microhardness was performed to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of CNTs in the matrix. The results obtained show that the incorporation of CNTs in the aluminum matrix increases the hardness in approximately 20% of the surface, in comparison with the control sample. The process of incorporating CNTs into the aluminum matrix by solubilization is a promising, simple and inexpensive alternative to improve the durability of the aluminum surface.