Abstract
Cu-Zr (CZ) based bulk metallic glasses (BMG) have become a subject of recent interest due to their high strength and enhanced ductility. In this study, wet process dispersion of multi-wall carbon nanotube (CNT) using a zwitterionic surfactant has been used to synthesize CNT reinforced BMG. A fundamental criterion is that the surfactant used must functionalize the CNTs thereby enabling it to attach to metallic powder surfaces. Spark plasma sintering was used to consolidate CZ-CNT composite powders with varying amounts of CNT (0.1 to 1.5 wt%). The microstructural evolution and the interface between the CNT and the BMG matrix was characterized using electron microscopy, DSC, and Zeta potential measurement. Compression tests were carried out to evaluate the mechanical behavior of consolidated bulk samples. Particular emphasis has been placed on establishing the structural and mechanical interaction at the interface between CNT and the BMG matrix.