Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 7, No.4, pp 355-370, 2008
jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved
355
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites- A Review
Subhranshu Sekhar Samal* and Smrutisikha Bal
Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
N.I.T Rourkela, Orissa, India-769008
*
Corresponding Author:
Subhranshu Sekhar Samal
[Presently working as scientist in centre for Nanoscience & Nanotechnology (A Joint
Initiative of SU & IGCAR), Chennai]
Ph: [phone], E-mail: [e-mail]
ABSTRACT
This paper provides an overview of recent advances reported in literature in ceramics
matrix composites research in the context of reinforcement with carbon nanotubes.
Current state of research has indicated the potential of these nanocomposites but at the
same time, has illustrated the significant challenges in processing and improving
properties. Fundamental work in processing, characterization and analysis is important
before the structural properties of this new class of nanocomposites can be optimized.
The fields of the nanocomposite materials have received a lot of attention and close
scrutiny of scientists and engineers in recent years. This scrutiny results from the simple
premise that using building blocks with dimensions in the nanometer range makes it
possible to design and create new materials with unprecedented flexibility. The driving
force behind the fabrication of novel nanocomposites is to achieve high functional
properties for high end applications.
Key Words: reinforcement, nanocomposites, carbon nanotube, functional, ceramic
matrix

356 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
1. INTRODUCTION
Since the discovery of CNTs, they have been the focus of frontier research. It has opened
vast areas of research which also include nanoscale reinforcements in composites in order
to improve their mechanical, thermal and even electrical properties. Although the focus
of the research in nanotube based composites has mostly been on polymer based
composites, the unique properties of carbon nanotubes can also be exploited in ceramic
matrix composites. But even after a decade of its discovery, the full potential of carbon
nanotubes in this application has not been realized with experimental outcomes falling
short of predicted values which demand an active insight in this field. Although ceramics
have high stiffness and excellent thermal stability with low density, their brittleness
impedes the use as structural materials. Because of their exceptional resilience, carbon
nanotubes might be desirable as reinforcement for ceramics. The combination of these
nanotubes with a ceramic matrix could potentially create composites that have high
temperature stability as well as exceptional toughness and creep resistance. Also
increased thermal and electrical conductivity of the composites even at low volume
fractions might provide the thermal transport needed to reduce material operating
temperatures and improve thermal shock resistance in applications like thermal elements
and electrical igniters. The high temperature and high reactive environment during
conventional fabrication methods of ceramics damage the carbon nanotubes and thus,
there is a need of alternate methods of processing the composites. Also, there is also a
need of control of interface between nanotube and the matrix for better interfacial
bonding. But the research is still in embryonic stage and there are a lot of challenges to be
resolved before it is ready for use in varied industrial applications. This review addresses
the current progress of research in this field and the critical issues of research are
2. INTRODUCTION TO CARBON NANOTUBES
Understanding the basic science and technology of carbon nanotubes [1] can be very
useful for better insight into the problem statement. Starting with the fundamentals, the
stunning discovery of fullerenes by Nobel laureates Dr. Richard Smalley, Dr. Harold
Kroto and Dr. Robert Curl in the year 1985 opened a new area of carbon chemistry.
Carbon nanotubes were first observed under an electron microscope by Sumio Iijima and
his co-workers. It has been the object of intense scientific research ever since.
Carbon nanotubes can be visualized as a graphene sheet that has been rolled into a tube
with hemispherical caps at both ends. Unlike diamond, where a 3-D diamond cubic
crystal structure is formed with each carbon atom having four nearest neighbours
arranged in a tetrahedron, graphite is formed as a 2-D sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 357
hexagonal array. In this case, each carbon atom is linked to three nearest neighbours.
Rolling the sheets of graphite into cylinders form carbon nanotubes [2]. The properties of
nanotubes depend on atomic arrangement (how the sheets of graphite are ‘rolled’), the
diameter and length of the tubes.
Nanotubes exist as either single-walled or multi-walled structures. Multi-walled
nanotubes (MWNTs) are simply composed of concentric single-walled nanotubes
(SWNTs) [Fig.1 (a&b)]. Primary synthesis methods to prepare single walled and multi
walled nanotubes include methods of arc discharge, laser ablation, gas phase catalytic
growth from carbon monoxide and similar carbon sources and chemical vapour
deposition. Considering the application of carbon nanotubes as reinforcements in
composites which requires production of large amount of carbon nanotubes
economically, gas phase techniques like chemical vapour deposition (CVD) offers the
greatest potential for optimization of nanotube production.
Fig 1(a): Single walled. Fig 1(b): Multi-walled nanotube.
During nanotube synthesis, a lot of bi-products are also formed which include amorphous
carbon, carbon black, non tubular fullerenes and also excess catalyst particles. This
accounts for subsequent purification steps to separate and isolate nanotubes from the rest.
Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in 1991 and the realization of their
unique physical properties, including mechanical, thermal, and electrical, many
investigators have endeavored to fabricate advanced CNT composite materials that
exhibit one or more of these properties. To explore the full potential of carbon nanotubes
for application in ceramic nanocomposites, one must fully understand the fracture and
elastic properties of carbon nanotubes as well as the interactions at nanotube-matrix
interface [3].
The multi-walled carbon nanotubes with a diametrical range of 5-40 nm are known for
their exceptional mechanical properties. MWNT whose modulus is comparable to that of
diamond (1.2 TPa), are reported to have strengths 10- 100 times higher than the strongest

358 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
steel at a fraction of the weight [4]. This, coupled with approximately 500 times more
surface area per gram (based on equivalent volume fraction of typical carbon fiber) and
aspect ratios of around 1000, has created a great deal of interest in using CNT as a
reinforcing phase for polymer matrices.
In addition to the exceptional mechanical properties, they also possess superior thermal
and electrical properties. They have a thermal stability up to 750°C in air and 2800°C in
vacuum. Their thermal conductivity is about twice as high as diamond, with electric
current transfer capacity 1000 times greater than copper wires. For high-temperature
applications, the high thermal conductance of CNTs suggests that their incorporation,
even at low volume fractions, might provide the thermal transport needed to reduce
material operating temperatures and improve thermal shock resistance.
Electrical conductance can also be useful in ceramic-based materials, as heating elements
and electrical igniters, for instance. For example, as conductive fillers, CNT are quite
effective compared to traditional carbon black micro particles, primarily due to their high
aspect ratios. The electrical percolation threshold was recently reported at 0.0025 wt. %
CNT and conductivity at 2 S/m at 1.0 wt% CNT in epoxy matrices. Control of electrical
resistance through the use of CNT as filler is therefore, an attractive alternative to other
composite systems [5]. These exceptional properties have been investigated for devices
such as field emission displays (FED), scanning probe microscopy tips, and
microelectronic devices.
Although single walled nanotubes possess better properties than multiwalled nanotubes,
but the relative simplicity in preparation of multiwalled nanotubes and ease in its
isolation and purification makes it more economical for most applications including
dispersing in ceramic matrix. Another property that is getting a lot of attention is the
nanotubes surface, namely the interface between the carbon nanotubes and surrounding
composite matrix. From micromechanics, it is through shear stress build-up at this
interface that stress is transferred from the matrix to the nanotubes. Numerous researchers
have attributed lower-than predicted carbon nanotube-ceramic and carbon nanotube-
polymer composite properties to a lack of interfacial bonding. If one considers the surface
of a carbon nanotube, essentially an exposed graphene sheet, it is not surprising that
interfacial interaction is a concern. It is the weak inter-planar interaction of graphite that
provides its solid lubricant quality, and resistance to matrix adhesion. If the mechanical
properties of multi walled nanotubes can be effectively incorporated into a ceramics
matrix, comparatively lighter weight composites with exceptional strength can be
achieved. In ceramic matrix materials, the mechanical property of greatest importance is
toughness or resistance to crack growth. Ceramics are already stiff and strong and so, in
analogy to ceramic composites with micron-scale fiber additions, the incorporation of
carbon nanotubes is aimed at enhancing toughness. NASA (USA) is focusing on making

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 359
use of CNTs to develop high-strength composite materials for the next generation
spacecraft via this revolutionary technology.
3. CERAMIC NANOCOMPOSITES
The field of nanocomposite materials has received a lot of attention and close scrutiny of
scientists and engineers in recent years. This scrutiny results from the simple premise that
using building blocks with dimensions in the nanometer range makes it possible to design
and create new materials with unprecedented flexibility. The driving force behind the
fabrication of novel nanocomposites is to achieve high functional properties for high end
applications. Nanocomposites can be found in nature in the form of biological systems,
such as in plants and bones. Nanocomposites can be considered solid structures with
nanometer-scale dimensional repeat distances between different phases that constitute the
structure. These materials typically consist of an inorganic (host) solid containing an
organic phase or vice versa. Or they can be consisting of two or more inorganic or
organic phases in some combinatorial form with the constraint that at least one of the
phases or features is in the nanometer size. Extreme examples of nanocomposites can be
porous media, colloids, gels and copolymers. The nanostructured phase can be 0-D
(embedded clusters), 1- Dimensional (Carbon nanotubes), 2-Dimensional (nanoscale
coatings) or 3- Dimensional (embedded networks). In general, nanocomposite materials
can demonstrate different mechanical, electrical, optical, electrochemical, catalytic and
structural properties than those of individual components. The multifunctional behavior
of any specific property of the material is often more than the individual sum of the
individual components.
The term and the concept ‘nanocomposite’ were formally adopted for ceramic materials
by Roy, Komarneni and colleagues about a decade ago. They developed hybrid ceramic
and metal nanocomposite materials synthesized by sol-gel processes and discussed quasi-
crystalline one- or two- component materials, with isolated phases or regions of 1-10 nm
with different structure and/or composition. The concept of structural ceramic
nanocomposites was proposed by Niihara in 1991 and can be seen as an adoption of the
nanocomposite approach for the micro structural tailoring of structural ceramic
composites. This work was mainly based on results obtained on the Si
3
N
4
/SiC and
Al
2
O
3
/SiC systems [6]. Photosensitive glasses which show precipitation of silver
halogenides might be the most common application of the nanocomposite approach.
Many efforts are underway to develop high-performance ceramics that can withstand
conditions of high temperature, wear and chemical attack as required in numerous
advanced applications like highly efficient gas turbines, aerospace materials,
automobiles, etc.

360 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
Most ceramic materials pose some grave problems, including relatively low fracture
toughness and strength, degradation of mechanical properties at high temperatures, and
poor resistance to creep, fatigue and thermal shock. Attempts to solve these problems
have involved incorporating second phase such as particulates, platelets, whiskers, and
fibers in the micron-sized range at the matrix grain boundaries. But these problems are
not solved effectively with micron-sized fillers. The passive control of the
microstructures by incorporating nanometer-size second phase dispersions into ceramic
matrices has given a promise in this direction.
There are only a few concepts available to compensate for the disadvantage of brittleness
in ceramics and to improve the strength. Following Griffith’s approach, the fracture
strength of brittle materials can only be improved by an increase in fracture toughness or
by a reduction in critical flaw size. Therefore, much effort has been invested in
sophisticated processing technology to reduce the size and density of processing flaws.
The design of tougher, flaw tolerant ceramics is a more interesting approach for wider
industrial applications since it improves the reliability of a component. The fracture
toughness can be increased by incorporating various energy dissipating components into
the ceramic microstructure. These components can be inclusions such as whiskers,
platelets or particles of microns size. The reinforcements serve to deflect the crack or to
provide bridging elements hindering further opening of the crack. Another concept is to
incorporate metallic ligaments into the ceramic matrix to form crack bridging elements
that absorb energy by plastic deformation. Finally, much benefit has resulted from
incorporating a second phase which undergoes a phase transition in conjunction with a
volume expansion initiated by the stress field of a propagating crack; this, too, can apply
a closing force on the crack.
The most promising solution which is currently researched extensively is the dispersion
of nanoparticles, especially carbon nanotubes into the ceramic matrix. Apart from
structural applications, nanocomposite technology can also be applied for fabricating
functional ceramics like ferroelectric, piezoelectric, varistor and ion conducting materials.
Incorporating a small amount of ceramic and metallic nanoparticles into Barium Titanate,
Zinc Oxide or cubic Zirconia can significantly improve their strength, hardness, and
toughness, which are very important in creating highly reliable electric devices operating
in severe environmental conditions. In addition, dispersing conducting metallic
nanoparticles or nanowires can enhance the electrical properties. For example, the range
of electroceramic nanocomposites for information and charge storage has revolutionized
the electronic industry. In the nanoscale, quantum effects can be utilized to modify
energy states and electronic structures of components. Conducting nanosized particles
dispersed in a dielectric matrix (i.e. Ni in PZT) can improve dielectric properties. Unique
catalytic properties can be achieved with entrapment- type nanocomposites where, for

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 361
example, fine metal clusters are supported in zeolites (three-dimensionally linked
network structures with channels up to 1 nm).
The solution sol-gel technique, in particular, offers an opportunity to produce not only
ultra-homogeneous materials but also heterogeneous or nanocomposite materials. After
crystallization and densification those materials are appropriate for numerous
applications, such as electronic or structural materials.
The most common methods for processing nanocomposites are mechanical alloying, sol
gel synthesis, and by thermal spray synthesis. Mechanical alloying occurs as a result of
repeated breaking up and joining of the component particles which can prepare highly
metastable structures such as amorphous alloys and nanocomposite structures with high
flexibility. Scaling up of synthesized materials to industrial quantities is easily achieved
in this process, but purity and homogeneity of the structures produced remains a
challenge. In addition to the erosion and agglomeration, high-energy milling can provoke
chemical reactions that are induced by the transfer of mechanical energy, which can
influence the milling process and the properties of the product. This is used to prepare
magnetic oxide-metal nanocomposites via mechanically induced displacement reactions
between a metal oxide and a more reactive metal.
Sol-gel is another process in which aerogels are the precursors. Aerogels are made by sol-
gel polymerization of selected silica, alumina or resorcinol-formaldehyde monomers in
solution and are extremely light but very porous, mostly nano-sized pores. In the
nanocomposites derived from aerogels, the product consists of a substrate like silica gel
and one or more additional phases with one of the phases with dimension of the order of
nanometers.
Thermal spray coating is another commercially relevant, proven technique for processing
nanostructured coatings. Thermal spray techniques are effective because agglomerated
nanocrystalline powders are melted, accelerated against a substrate and quenched very
rapidly in a single step. This rapid melting and solidification promotes retention of a
nanocrystalline phase and even amorphous structure. Retention of nanocrystalline
structure leads to enhanced wear behavior, greater hardness, and sometimes a good
coefficient of friction compared to conventional coatings.
As the research in nano-reinforced ceramics is still in its infancy, it is not clear which, if
any, of the above toughening and strengthening mechanisms apply to ceramic
nanocomposites. The aim of this review is to develop a rational path for the optimization
of structural nanocomposites on the basis of current observations and consequent
hypotheses. Particular emphasis will be given to common ceramic matrices containing

362 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
carbon nanotubes as reinforcements because these systems have been the subject of the
greatest study
4. PROCESSING AND PROPERTIES OF CNT REINFORCED COMPOSITES
The nanotube reinforcements promise to increase the fracture toughness of the
composites by absorbing energy through their highly flexible elastic behaviour during
deformation, which will be especially important for nanotube-based ceramic matrix
composites. But, materials fabrication difficulties have limited research on nanotube-
reinforced ceramic composites. The major concern is to obtain a uniform dispersion of
nanotubes in the matrix. Damage or destruction of the nanotubes is often observed
because of the high temperatures and highly reactive environments associated with many
methods of processing ceramic and metal matrices. Also lack of optimized fabrication
and processing of nanotubes has also restricted research efforts, although this seems to
have become less of a problem in recent years as more groups produce their own
nanotubes with catalyzed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods.
Powder processing methods have been used to fabricate ceramic matrices. The small
diameter and large aspect ratio of the nanotubes can make it difficult to obtain a good
mixture of the two phases prior to sintering or hot pressing. Some success has been
achieved with conventional milling techniques, primarily with the use of low to moderate
nanotube volume fractions. Peigney et al. have successfully employed super plastic
forming with mixtures of submicron powders and CNTs [7]. Here the nanotubes appear
to facilitate the high-temperature extrusion process. This method produces a ceramic
matrix composite (CMC) in which the nanotubes are highly aligned [Fig.2].
Fig 2: HREM micrograph of CNT-Magnesium Aluminide composite powders with
highly aligned CNTs.

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 363
Balazsi et al. have devised a novel processing method to make a composite material
consisting of a highly durable Si–B–N–C ceramic matrix made from substituted vinyl-
borazine precursors modified by carbonaceous structures on the surface [8]. Depending
on the content of Ni dopand of the starting polymer, a catalyzed growth of multiwalled
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of the bamboo-type or of carbon layers is observed [Fig.3
(a&b)]. The presented new composite material with a thermal stability up to 1500
0
C of
both the carbonaceous or nanotube coatings and the ceramic matrix promises a wide
range for novel applications. Especially, a strong immobilization of the CNTs allows
using this material as a support for heterogeneous catalysts.
(a) (b)
Fig 3 (a&b): Selected carbon nanotube after Carbonyl Iron-impregnation as well as Fe Ni
exchange.
The functionalization of the CNTs with metals via common impregnation methods is
demonstrated exemplarily. By minimizing the ceramic particle size, large surface carbon
nanotube materials can be achieved. Ma et al. have successfully fabricated nano-SiC
ceramic-based CNT composites by mixing SiC nanoparticles with 10 wt. % CNTs and
hot pressing at 2273
0
K. They found that the CNTs played a strengthening and
toughening role in this ceramic matrix composite. Both bend strength and fracture
toughness of this SiC–10% CNTs composite increase by about 10% over monolithic SiC
ceramic.
Another interesting approach is to use a mixture of ceramic powder and catalyst for
nanotube growth (Fe, Ni, or Co), followed by a CVD process that grows nanotubes inside
the particulate perform. This can produce a uniform mixture of the two phases as long as
mass transport of the carbon-containing gas (e.g. C
2
H
2
, CH
4
, etc.) into the powder bed
does not produce significant gradients.

364 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
In some cases, the nanotubes are damaged by high temperature sintering. However,
spark-plasma-sintering has been used to produce materials where the nanotube structure
is retained [Fig.4]. The success of this method apparently results from the use of lower
temperatures and shorter firing times. While the sintering of traditional whisker and fiber
reinforced composites is typically plagued by differential densification rates, this may be
less of a problem with nanotubes because of their small dimensions. Conventional hot-
pressing and hot isostatic pressing methods have also been used to produce nanotube-
reinforced composites. Tape casting and lamination method have been used to achieve
better dispersion of CNTs in an alumina matrix. The tribological studies of the fabricated
composites showed that tape casting helped in achieving higher dispersion. The presence
of CNTs is also expected to inhibit grain growth during high-temperature processing.
This beneficial effect is also known to occur during high-temperature processing of a
variety of other composite materials.
Fig 4: SEM images of CNT dispersed SiN composite prepared from SPS.
High temperature fabrication of a ceramic matrix can create some difficulty in identifying
nanotubes in the final composite, particularly when low volume fractions and relatively
small nanotubes are used. However, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy can
often be used to image nanotubes directly. Raman spectroscopy is also a useful tool for
characterizing the carbon bonding indicative of nanotubes. Several methods have been
used to form nanotubes inside preexisting porous matrices. Rul et al. formed a porous
spinel structure with gel casting [9]. This matrix also contained a small amount of Co
catalyst, and subsequent CVD produced a relatively high nanotube volume fraction inside
the porous oxide. Another method of producing nanotubes inside a porous ceramic is to
use anodic alumina templates with controlled pore structures [Fig.5]. This approach is
generally limited to coatings or membranes up to ~100 µm thick. The resulting materials
consist of aligned nanotubes whose diameter is determined by the pre-existing cylindrical
(or nearly cylindrical) pores in the alumina. The dimensions of these materials make them
potentially applicable as coatings. Also, the unidirectional microstructure is an advantage
for fundamental investigations of mechanical properties.

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 365
Fig. 5. Microstructure of CNT dispersed Alumina composite made by hot pressing
technique.
Nanoscale powders with carbon nanotubes provide another opportunity for creating dense
ceramic-matrix powders with enhanced mechanical properties. The strength and fracture
toughness of hot pressed á-alumina is typically much greater than that of conventional
grain size polycrystalline alumina. Addition of carbon nanotubes to the alumina results in
lightweight composites with even greater strength and fracture toughness. The
mechanical properties of such composites depend strongly on the processing methods and
surface treatment of the carbon nanotubes. The work on characterization and the
processing of the mechanical properties of a carbon nanotube-reinforced Al-based
composite prepared by hot-pressing followed by hot-extrusion indicated that the carbon
nanotubes in the composites are not damaged during the composite preparation and that
no reaction products at the nanotube/Al interface are visible after annealing for 24 h at
983
0
K. The strength of the composites is slightly affected by the annealing time at 873
0
K.
The most interesting and challenging applications for CNT ceramic matrix composites
(CNT/CMCs) are as tough materials which has seen bulk of research. Toughening in
CMCs is typically achieved by a weak fiber/matrix interface coupling that permits
debonding and sliding of the fibers within the matrix. The closing forces exerted by fibers
on matrix cracks that propagate around the fibers constrains the crack growth, and the
work required to pull broken fibers out against residual sliding friction at the fiber/matrix
interface imparts significant fracture toughness to CMCs. Weak interfaces between a
CNT and many ceramic matrices is expected, and pyrolytic carbon is the most common
interface material deposited onto fibers to induce such debonding. Thus the mechanisms
of interface debonding and sliding, and associated toughening should be operative in
CNT- CMCs unless the sliding resistance is too low (see below).
Most work on CNT- CMCs has focused on the measurement of toughness using the
indentation/crack-length technique, which is nominally suitable for small volumes of

366 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
material, with little emphasis on uncovering actual mechanisms of any toughening.
Unfortunately, most results for toughening have been disappointing. Data has shown very
little or no increase in toughening upon introduction of CNTs – either single or multi-
walled into various ceramic matrices. Zhan et al however, have reported significant
fracture toughness improvements, three times higher than an unreinforced matrix, based
on indentation measurements [10]. On the other hand, new results from Wang et al.
demonstrate that the indentation/crack-length technique is not valid in these materials.
Wang et al. fabricated CNT-alumina materials using the method of Zhan et al., but
performed the far more reliable single edge V-notched beam test, which showed no
enhanced toughening and thus refutes the claims of high toughness by Zhan et al. To
reinforce their conclusion, Wang et al. performed indentation tests on the CNT- CMCs
and on composites containing only graphite particles and showed that the indentation
behavior is similar in the two materials: cracking is suppressed so that the ‘apparent’
toughness is high [11]. These works show that careful measurements are required and
also strongly suggest that indications of enhanced toughening should be supported by
direct evidence of potential toughening mechanisms. Although not tough in a traditional
sense, the CNT-CMCs and graphite-CMCs are ‘damage tolerant’ under contact loading
[Fig.6 (a&b)], i.e. they do not crack easily, which is explained by noting that the carbon
additions may accommodate deformations by shear under the indenter. New work by Xia
et al. has emphasized the identification of toughening mechanisms, rather than the
determination of numerical values for toughness [12]. They used a novel CNT-CMC
material consisting of an aligned, ordered array of (imperfect) multiwalled CNTs
embedded in an alumina matrix. The interaction of cracks, induced by nanoindentation,
with the nanotubes could be directly observed for several orientations. The key
phenomena of crack deflection at the matrix/nanotube interface crack bridging by
nanotubes [Fig.7], and nanotube pull-out on the fracture surface all indicate that
appropriate toughening mechanisms can operate in a CNT-CMC. They also show direct
evidence of a novel shear deformation mode that is consistent with the arguments of
Wang et al. regarding ‘damage tolerance’ driven by shear. Further work on such model
systems, as well as more practical systems, is needed to establish quantitative toughening
levels, however.
Other mechanical properties, such as hardness and elastic modulus, have been
investigated as well, with inconclusive results. CNT additions to silicon nitride show
some variation in strength and modulus, but the CNTs change the density of the material
and the strongest correlation in mechanical properties is with density. Investigations on
CNT alumina materials showed an increase in hardness and decrease in wear resistance
for moderate CNT additions, say 2- 4%. However, the CNTs change the grain size of the
resultant matrix and the hardness correlates with the grain size changes as well. These
results demonstrate that processing-induced changes in the matrix may have greater

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 367
effects on mechanical properties than the actual presence of CNTs. Thus, correlations of
properties solely with CNT content can be highly misleading.
(a) (b)
Fig 6: Representation of hardness (a) and fracture toughness (b) as a function of CNT %.
Fig 7: Crack Bridging Mechanism.
CNT-CMC materials have demonstrated significant enhancements in electrical
conductivity. Physically long, thin, and electrically conducting nanotubes create an
interconnected percolating network of conducting paths through an otherwise insulating
matrix to yield high conductivity at relatively low CNT volume fraction [13].
5. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE SCOPES
CNT-based composite systems continue to hold promise but with significant challenges
to real success. Given the costs of the materials and processes involved, it is not sufficient
to obtain marginal improvements in properties over traditional micron-scale composites
or virgin matrices. Yet, with few exceptions, notable enhancements have not been

368 S. Sekhar Samal, and S. Bal Vol.7, No.4
observed. The traditional interplay of careful processing and evaluation, coupled with
mechanistic assessment of properties, remains a valid paradigm at the nanoscale and
should be assiduously applied to future research in CNT composite systems.
The work reviewed here demonstrates that a variety of methods for producing ceramic
and metal matrix nanotube composites have been investigated in recent years, but with
mixed results on mechanical performance. Further research on these approaches will
almost certainly lead to better materials.
Better mechanical properties are likely to result from higher nanotube volume fractions
and, in some cases, the use of longer nanotubes. Both of these variations create additional
processing challenges because it is more difficult to obtain a uniform dispersion of
nanotubes and, in some cases, more difficult to obtain a dense matrix.
A key issue that has not yet been explored in any detail is the control of the interface
between the nanotubes and the matrix. Experience with other composites indicates that
these interfaces will be critical for mechanical performance.
In particular, it is well established that debonding and interfacial sliding are critical in
conventional CMCs. In a CNT-reinforced material, interface behavior is expected to be
significantly different from conventional carbon fibers because of the unique chemical
bonding inherent in CNTs. Experiments have shown that high-quality, multiwalled CNTs
exhibit very easy interwall sliding, with inner graphitic walls able to be extracted from
outer walls in a ‘sword and sheath’ mechanism at low applied forces. Moreover, this
behavior is not frictional in nature – the pull-out forces do not scale with embedded
length.
Molecular dynamics simulations have shown that the pull-out forces are increased when
the inner walls have a fractured end. The fractured end of the inner wall(s) would
naturally deform outward but is constrained by the outer wall(s), generating high local
stress, requiring pull-out forces four times larger than capped-end nanotubes, consistent
with experiments. The behavior is still not frictional, however, and incorporation of
nearly perfect CNTs may not be the appropriate direction for design of high-performance
materials.
The behavior obtained on imperfect nanotubes, for instance may suggest that nanocarbon
fibers rather than nanotubes hold most promise for providing the balance of properties
(strength and interfacial sliding behavior) needed for good mechanical performance. The
smaller length scales associated with nanotubes will also create differences in comparison
with traditional composites. For ceramic composites with micronsized carbon or ceramic
fibers, the interface properties are typically controlled with a layer of pyrolytic carbon or
boron nitride that is at least several hundred nanometers thick. An analogous,

Vol.7, No.4 Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Matrix Composites - A Review 369
proportionally sized layer for CNTs would potentially involve control of nanotube-matrix
bonding at or near the atomic length scale.
It is also important to note that work done to date has utilized both single- and multi-
walled nanotubes with a variety of different structures, with the choice of CNT material
often dictated by availability or processing considerations. For example, in situ methods
based on CVD at moderate temperatures typically produce multiwalled nanotubes with a
relatively disordered structure. It is not yet clear how these different nanotube structures
will affect mechanical behavior, and processing issues associated with both nanotube
degradation and interfacial bonding are likely to depend, at least in part, on the structure
of the nanotubes. Properties that do not rely on high synergy between the matrix and
CNTs, such as electrical conductivity, have already shown notable enhancements. The
synergy attending other electromagnetic behaviors in CNT-metal systems is encouraging,
but not yet fully studied.
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