Effect of interfacial reaction on Young's modulus in CNT/Al nanocomposite: A quantitative analysis

1.5 wt% CNT/Al nanocomposite with limited, moderate and severe interfacial reaction were prepared by flake PM and annealing to study the effect of interfacial reaction on Young's modulus. Both qualitative and quantitative characterizations of CNT/Al interfacial reaction were conducted through TEM observation and electrochemical dissolution. The results showed that the strong reinforcing effect of reaction-formed Al4C3 and the significant volume expansion effect during CNTs-Al4C3 transformation resulted in Young's modulus increase with greater CNT/Al interfacial reaction degree. The significant role of raw CNTs quality in “Young's modulus-interfacial reaction degree” relationship was discussed. Both raw CNT quality and CNT/Al interfacial reaction need to be well controlled and optimized for fabricating CNT/Al nanocomposite with higher Young's modulus. [Display omitted] •Effect of interfacial reaction on Young’s modulus of CNT/Al composite was quantitatively revealed.•Both qualitative and quantitative characterizations of CNT/Al interfacial reaction were conducted.•Volume expansion induced by CNTs-Al4C3 transformation was the key to modulus increase with greater reaction degree.•The significant role of raw CNTs quality in “Young’s modulus-interfacial reaction” relationship was uncovered.