Quantitative Assessment of the Reinforcement Distribution Homogeneity in CNT/Metal Composites.

Reinforcement distribution has a major influence on composite material behavior. This work presents a method to quantitatively analyze the reinforcement distribution homogeneity in metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes. The method is based on the statistical two-dimensional analysis of the CNT cluster distribution within defined regions. A subsequent analysis of the material hardness allowed a correlation to the homogeneity, highlighting the influence of the CNT distribution. This analysis provides a straightforward and objective assessment of the reinforcement distribution, applicable to other types of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]