Method for mixing powdered metal and nanocarbon material, and method for manufacturing nanocarbon/metal composite material

Abstract

A manufacturing method is provided to be used in place of a conventional mechanical alloying method. A powdered metal and a nanocarbon material are placed in an empty metal mill vessel containing no balls, and a mixture in which the powdered metal is coated with this nanocarbon material is obtained by shaking in three dimensions.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method for mixing a powdered metal and a nanocarbon material, and to a method for manufacturing a nanocarbon / metal composite material. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In recent years, special carbon fibers known as “carbon nanofibers” have attracted attention. Carbon nanofibers have a configuration in which sheets of carbon atoms arranged in the form of a hexagonal network are rolled up into a tubular form; such nanofibers have a diameter of 1.0 nm to 150 nm, and a length of a few micrometers to 100 μm. Since such fibers have a nano-size diameter, they are referred to as “carbon nanofibers,”“carbon nanotubes,” or the like (such materials will be called “nanocarbon materials” below). [0003] These nanocarbon materials are reinforcing materials, and are also materials with a good thermal conductivity. Accordingly, strength and thermal conductivity can be improved by mixing these materials with metal materials. [0004] I...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for mixing powdered metal and nanocarbon material using a ball mill without the need for balls. This method allows for a more uniform coating of nanocarbon material on the powdered metal, resulting in a stronger and more thermally conductive nanocarbon / metal composite material. The nanocarbon material is dispersed in advance by ultrasound, which further improves the dispersion of the nanocarbon material in the metal. The absence of balls in the vessel also reduces the risk of excessive breakup of the nanocarbon material. The resulting nanocarbon / metal composite material has a large strength and thermal conductivity.

Problems solved by technology

However, since the carbon nanotubes are mechanically broken up and converted into short fibers, no great improvement in thermal conduction can be expected.

However, in the case of short fibers, the thermal conductivity is small.

Thus, in conventional mechanical alloying methods, it has been ascertained that the desired thermal conductivity performance cannot be sufficiently obtained.

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