Magnetic and Mechanical Characterization of Al-MWCNT-Fe-Ni Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

This paper aimed to synthesize the aluminum (Al) based magnetic hybrid composites by using iron nanoparticles (Fe: 16-28 vol%), nickel nanoparticles (Ni: 2 vol%) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT: 2 vol%) as reinforcements. The magnetic, mechanical, electrical properties were investigated. The highest saturation magnetization of 79.21 emu/g was given by the composite with high volume fraction of iron nanoparticles. However, with an addition of nickel (2 vol%) in Al-MWCNT-Fe, the magnetic properties were decreased. A reduction of power losses up to 41.5% was achieved by using Ni 2 vol%. It was also found that the composites with greater aluminum content had better tensile strength with the highest strength of 68.5 MPa and better flexural strength. The greatest hardness of HV 74 was achieved by increasing the Fe content. The electrical resistivity varied between 1354 mu Omega.cm and 2450 mu Omega.cm, which is higher than that of commercial aluminum and some of its alloys.