CNT reinforced light metal composites produced by melt stirring and by high pressure die casting

Light metal matrix composites are of great interest due to their potential for reducing CO2 emission through lightweight design e.g. in the automotive sector. Carbon nanotubes can be considered as ideal reinforcements, due to their high strength, high aspect ratio and thermo-mechanic properties. In this research, CNT reinforced light metal composites were produced by melt stirring and by high pressure die casting, which can be both easily scaled up. The light metal composites showed significantly improved mechanical properties already at small CNT contents. The influence of CNT concentration on the composites was also studied.