Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Composites

1. Introduction
- Types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
- Synthesis of carbon nanotubes
- Importance of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Importance of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Current challenges in developing CNT reinforced metal and ceramic matrix nanocomposites
2. Carbon nanotube -metal nanocomposites
- Processing of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Dispersion of CNTs in metals
- Interfaces in CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Aluminum, magnesium and titanium-based composites
- Microstructural characterization
3. Physical Properties of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Electrical behavior
- Percolation concentration
4. Mechanical characteristics of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Tensile deformation behavior
- Strengthening and toughening mechanism
- Structure-property relationship
- Comparison with nanoparticle-reinforced metals
5. Carbon nanotube-ceramic nanocomposites
- Preparation of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Oxide based nanocomposites : Alumina, magnesia, silica, titania and zirconia matrices
- Carbide-based nanocomposites: Silicon carbide, boron carbide
- Nitride-based nanocomposites: Silicon nitride
- Microstructural characterization
6. Physical Properties of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Electrical behavior
- Percolation concentration
- Thermal behavior
7. Mechanical characteristics of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites
- Strengthening and toughening
- Microdeformation mechanism
- Fracture toughness
8. Conclusions
- Future prospects
- Potential applications of CNT-metal nanocomposites
- Potential applications of CNT-ceramic nanocomposites

S.C. Tjong is currently a professor at the Department of Physics and Materials Science of the City University of Hong Kong. He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Manchester (U.K.) in 1974 and 1976, respectively. Professor Tjong specializes in nanomaterials, ceramics, and in physical and mechanical properties of metal- and polymer matrix composites. He has published over 300 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, edited one previous book and authored twelve book chapters. He is a chartered engineer (U.K.), a chartered scientist (U.K.), a Fellow of The Institute of Materials, Mining and Minerals (U.K.), and a member of The American Chemical Society.

"All said and done, this is a terrific book, carefully and accessibly written, covering a lot of material without oversimplifying. Just right for the carbon nanotubes." (Current Engineering Practice, 2010)

"Because carbon nanotubes have large aspect ratios, extremely high Young modulus and mechanical strength, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity, says Tjong (physics and materials science, City U. of Hong Kong), incorporating them into metal and ceramics produces high performance and functional nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and physical properties. He examines the current status of synthesis, microstructural characterization, physical and mechanical properties, and applications of such composites, first with metal and then with ceramics. The manufacture of these nanocomposites for commercial applications is still embryonic, he explains, and its growth requires better understanding of the fundamental aspects." ( Book News Inc., February 2011)

"All said and done, this is a terrific book, carefully and accessibly written, covering a lot of material without oversimplifying. Just right for the carbon nanotubes." ( Current Engineering Practice, 2010)