High mechanical strengthened CNTs/Al composite concepts with robust interface and intragranular reinforcement achieved via interfacial thermite reaction

In this work, we develop a novel strategy to simultaneously manipulate robust “Al-Al 2 O 3 -CNTs” interface and intragranular nano-sized Al 2 O 3 whiskers and CuAl 2 particles in the Cu 2 O@CNTs/Al composite via combining surface modification strategy with interfacial thermite reaction, which contributes to the superior mechanical properties . It was demonstrated that the interfacial thermite reaction between Cu 2 O and Al would effectively promote the formation of Al 2 O 3 nanolayer at CNTs-Al interface, thus emphasizing to address the enhanced load transfer and interfacial plastic stability. Further, the long-distance diffusion of Cu and O atoms imposed by the intense thermal effect facilitates the in-situ generation of intragranular Al 2 O 3 /Al 2 Cu with good interface compatibility. These intragranular reinforcements could render sustainable strain hardening by trapping dislocation loops. Such interfacial thermite reaction-induced intragranular reinforcements and strong interfacial adhesion are supposed to provide a new perspective for achieving strength-ductility synergy in CNTs/Al systems.