Micromechanics-based modeling of elastic modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion for CNT-metal nanocomposites: effects of waviness, clustering and aluminum carbide layer

A micromechanical model is analytically developed to estimate the elastic modulus and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs). The effects of two important microstructural features, including the CNT clusters and the waviness on the thermo-elastic response are investigated. The formation of aluminum carbide (Al4C3) layer due to the interaction between the CNT and the...