Nanocarbon-reinforced aluminium composite materials and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A nanocarbon-reinforced aluminum composite material and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method of manufacturing a nanocarbon-reinforced aluminum composite material is characterized in that composite powder, in which ceramic-coated nanocarbon is surrounded by metal powder, is added to molten aluminum and then casting the molten aluminum with the added composite powder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a nanocarbon-reinforced aluminum composite material, comprising:
 adding composite powder, in which ceramic-coated nanocarbon is surrounded by metal powder, to molten aluminum; and   casting the molten aluminum with the added composite powder.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising steps of:
 prior to adding the composite powder to molten aluminum and casting the molten aluminum with the added composite powder,   coating nanocarbon with ceramic; and   mixing the ceramic-coated nanocarbon with metal powder to prepare the composite powder such that the ceramic-coated nanocarbon is surrounded by the metal powder.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the nanocarbon includes at least one selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber, and graphene; and
 the ceramic includes at least one selected from the group consisting of oxide, carbide, nitride, and boride.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the metal powder is aluminum or a metal alloyed with the aluminum or reacted with the aluminum to form an intermetallic compound. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic-coated nanocarbon is mixed with the metal powder by ball milling such that the ceramic-coated nanocarbon is surrounded by the metal powder. 
     
     
         6 . A nanocarbon-reinforced aluminum composite material, manufactured by adding composite powder, in which ceramic-coated nanocarbon is surrounded by metal powder, to molten aluminum, and then casting the molten aluminum with the added composite powder.