Boron nitride nanotube aluminum composites and methods of manufacturing the same
AssigneeThe Florida International University Board of Trustees
InventorsArvind Agarwal, Cheng Zhang, Tanaji Paul, Sohail Mazher Ali Khan Mohammed, Denny John
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Abstract
Methods for large-scale additive manufacturing of high-strength boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT)/aluminum (Al) (e.g., reinforced Al alloy) metal matrix composites (MMCs) (BNNT/Al MMCs), as well as the BNNT/Al MMCs produced by the large-scale additive manufacturing methods, are provided. A combination of ultrasonication and spray drying techniques can produce good BNNT/Al alloy feedstock powders, which can be used in a cold spraying process.
Claims19
A method of preparing a boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT)-aluminum (Al) (BNNT-Al) powder, the method comprising:
- dispersing BNNTs in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to give a first solution;
- performing a sonication process on the first solution to give a first mixed solution;
- adding a first powder comprising Al to the first mixed solution to give a second solution;
- performing a sonication process on the second solution to give a second mixed solution;
- and
- drying the second mixed solution to give the BNNT-Al powder.
A method of preparing a boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT)-aluminum (Al) (BNNT-Al) powder, the method comprising:
- dispersing BNNTs in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to give a first solution;
- performing a sonication process on the first solution to give a first solution;
- performing a sonication process on the first solution to give a first mixed solution;
- adding a first powder comprising Al to the first mixed solution to give a second solution;
- performing a sonication process on the second solution to give a second mixed solution;
- and
- drying the second mixed solution to give the BNNT-Al powder,
- the drying of the second mixed solution comprising at least one of:
- drying the second mixed solution in an oven;
- and spray drying the second mixed solution,
- the method optionally further comprising adding a binder to the second mixed solution before drying the second mixed solution,
- the BNNT-Al powder comprising BNNTs uniformly dispersed in the first powder,
- the first powder being an Al alloy powder, and
- the first powder having a particle size in a range of from 20 μm to 50 μm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.