Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes: A Review of Fabrication Methods and Applications

Jurnal Engine: Energi, Manufaktur, dan Material Vol. 9 No. 1 Mei 2025 hal: 017 - 025 Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes: A Review of Fabrication Methods and Applications Nabila Desy Rahmawati1 Immanuel Heprianto Simanjuntak2 Fikri Muzhaffar3 Ade Putra Kurniawan4 Judika Landung5 Damai Lince Logo6 1,2,3,4,5,6 Mechanical Engineering, Indonesia Defense University, Kawasan IPSC Sentul, Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat 1 author correspondence: Article Info: Received: January 22, 2025 Accepted: March 11, 2025 Available online: April 13, 2025 DOI: 10.30588/jeemm.v9i1.2116 Abstract: This study reviews the fabrication methods and compositions of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), aiming to enhance the mechanical properties of aluminum composites. The methods analyzed include ball milling, spark plasma extrusion (SPE), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), each showing unique advantages in improving tensile strength, hardness, wear resistance, and thermal conductivity. The study highlights significant findings, such as SPE's ability to address CNT agglomeration, ensuring a more homogeneous distribution, and increasing material density. Results also reveal the effectiveness of CNT coatings in improving electromagnetic shielding performance and thermal conductivity for extreme conditions. The significance of this research lies in identifying optimal fabrication techniques and compositions, offering valuable insights for advancing lightweight, high-strength materials in automotive, aerospace, and other industries. This study emphasizes the potential of Al-CNT composites as superior materials for industrial applications and the need for further exploration of hybrid fabrication methods and CNT types. Keywords: Aluminum matrix composite, Carbon Nanotubes, Mechanical properties, Fabrication methods. Abstrak: Penelitian ini mengulas metode fabrikasi dan komposisi komposit matrik aluminium yang diperkuat dengan Karbon Nanotube (CNT), yang bertujuan untuk meningkatkan sifat mekanis komposit aluminium. Metode yang dianalisis meliputi ball milling, spark plasma extrusion (SPE), dan chemical vapor deposition (CVD), yang masing-masing menunjukkan keunggulan unik dalam meningkatkan kekuatan tarik, kekerasan, ketahanan aus, dan konduktivitas termal. Studi ini menyoroti temuan penting, seperti kemampuan SPE untuk mengatasi aglomerasi CNT, memastikan distribusi yang lebih homogen, dan meningkatkan kepadatan material. Hasil juga mengungkapkan efektivitas pelapis CNT dalam meningkatkan kinerja pelindung elektromagnetik dan konduktivitas termal untuk kondisi ekstrem. Signifikansi penelitian ini terletak pada identifikasi teknik dan komposisi fabrikasi yang optimal, yang menawarkan wawasan berharga untuk memajukan material ringan dan berkekuatan tinggi dalam industri otomotif, kedirgantaraan, dan industri lainnya. Penelitian ini menekankan potensi komposit Al-CNT sebagai material unggul untuk aplikasi industri dan perlunya eksplorasi lebih lanjut terhadap metode fabrikasi hibrida dan jenis CNT. Kata Kunci: Aluminum matrix composite, Carbon Nanotubes, Mechanical properties, Fabrication methods. Jurnal Engine ISSN (online) 2579-7433 17 Jurnal Engine: Energi, Manufaktur, dan Material Vol. 9 No. 1 I. Mei 2025 hal: 017 - 025 Introduction Aluminium is a lightweight metal with good casting ability, low density, high corrosion resistance, ductility, and a high melting point, making it widely used in various industries [1]. However, in actual application processes, low wear and corrosion resistance seriously shorten the lifespan of aluminium alloys [2]. The development of nanomaterials has opened new avenues in blending composite matrix materials. Aluminium must improve its mechanical properties by creating a Carbon Nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminium matrix composite. CNT-reinforced aluminium matrix composites have great potential for industrial applications due to their high specific strength, high thermal conductivity, and good thermal expansion coefficient [3]. In the automotive and aerospace industries, the demand for lightweight yet strong materials increases to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. Aluminium composites reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) have great potential in addressing this challenge due to their high specific strength and thermal conductivity. Carbon Nanotubes are increasingly recognized in composites for their extraordinary strength, Young's modulus, thermal expansion, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity [4]. However, in practice, incorporating CNT into the aluminium matrix faces several challenges, including CNT agglomeration and uneven distribution within the matrix. This reduces the effectiveness of material reinforcement, thus requiring optimal fabrication methods to achieve a more homogeneous distribution. In recent decades, much research has been conducted on this alloy. This journal aims to review several existing studies and analyze the percentages [5], the methods used [6], and the challenges faced in those studies. This review is hoped to provide comprehensive insights into the latest developments and opportunities for further research in the future. Generally, aluminium reinforcement with CNTs depends on dispersion, aspect ratio, degree of alignment of CNTs, and the interfacial strength between the Al matrix and the CNT surfaces [7]. The level of homogeneity of CNT dispersion in the Al matrix is crucial in determining mechanical strength and preventing mechanical cracking. In the matrix [8]. Although significant progress has been made in the fabrication of Al-CNT, there is still an opportunity for further research to explore new methods or combinations of existing techniques to achieve more optimal and consistent mechanical properties under various application conditions. This journal discusses the differences in various fabrication methods for adding Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) into an aluminium matrix, as well as their effects on the mechanical and physical properties of the resulting composite materials. Various methods used in previous studies yield different results regarding tensile strength, wear resistance, and electrical and thermal conductivity of the AlCNTs alloy. In addition, the alloy compositions used in each study also vary, significantly impacting the material's performance. Therefore, it is important to understand which fabrication methods and alloy compositions yield the best results in optimizing aluminium's mechanical and physical properties reinforced with CNTs. This research aims to identify the best methods and compositions to produce superior-performance composite materials. II. Methods In conducting this journal review, we used a bibliographic approach by collecting and analysing various studies that addressed the fabrication methods and composition of Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMC) reinforced with Carbon Na (...truncated)