Development of composite material aluminum-carbon nanotubes with high hardness and controlled thermal conductivity

The composite material was obtained by chemical vapor deposition growth of carbon nanotubes on the surface of aluminum particles followed by high-temperature compaction under pressure. The content of carbon nanotubes was 1 wt.%. A composite material with a hardness of 58–60 HB, which is two times higher than the hardness of original aluminum with an adjustable thermal conductivity of 50–150 W/(m × K) and with a low density of 2.7 g/cm3 have been obtained. It was found that the hardness and thermal properties could be adjusted depending on the temperature during hot pressing by controlling the formation of Al3C4 carbide.