Carbon nanotube-metal-oxide nanocomposites: Microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties

Carbon nanotube-metal-oxide composites (metal=Fe, Co or Fe/Co alloy; oxide= Al2O3, MgO or MgAl2O4) have been prepared by hot-pressing the corresponding composite powders, in which the carbon nanotubes, mostly single or double- walled, are very homogeneously dispersed between the metal-oxide grains. Fo r the sake of comparison, ceramic and metal-oxide nanocomposites have also been prepared. The microstructure of the specimens has been studied and dis cussed in relation to the nature of the matrix, the electrical conductivity , the fracture strength and the fracture toughness. The carbon nanotube-met al-oxide composites are electrical conductors owing to the percolation of t he carbon nanotubes. (C) 2000 Acm Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier S cience Ltd. All lights reserved.