Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-tj2md Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-20T00:26:15.583Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A finite element study on the hardness of carbon nanotubes-doped diamond-like carbon film

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2011

Chehung Wei  and
Jui-Feng Yang
Chehung Wei*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei 104, Taiwan
Jui-Feng Yang
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei 104, Taiwan
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: cwei@ttu.edu.tw
Get access

Abstract

The hardness of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs)-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) films is modeled by a nanoindentation finite element analysis. A three-dimensional (3D) formation where CNTs are modeled as transverse isotropy is compared with a two-dimensional (2D) analysis with isotropic CNTs. The results showed that for small CNTs volume fraction, the overall hardness of CNTs/DLC/Si composites is controlled by the elastic modulus along the indentation direction. For vertical CNTs-doped DLC films, the hardness in 3D analysis is close to that in 2D analysis if the isotropic elastic modulus is taken as the long-axis direction. However, for horizontal CNTs-doped DLC films, the hardness in 3D and in 2D is similar if the 2D isotropic elastic modulus is taken as the short-axis direction of the 3D elastic modulus. As a result, for small CNTs volume fraction, the hardness of CNTs/DLC/Si composites can be modeled by a 2D isotropic inclusion as long as the elastic modulus is chosen properly. The hardness in CNTs/DLC/Si composites depends on the orientation of CNTs and the volume fraction. The mechanisms in hardness enhancement for different CNT orientations are explained by shear stress and the effective projected area. The issues like interface strength and indentation size effect are also addressed in terms of CNT orientations.

Keywords

NanoindentationHardnessMicrostructure
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 27 , Issue 1: Focus Issue: Instrumented Indentation , 14 January 2012 , pp. 330 - 338
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Salvetat-Delmotte, J. and Rubio, A.: Mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes: A fiber digest for beginners. Carbon 40, 1729 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Saether, E., Frankland, S.J., and Pipes, R.B.: Transverse mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotube crystals. Part I: Determination of elastic moduli. Compos. Sci. Technol. 63, 1543 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Mauron, Ph., Emmenegger, Ch., Zuttel, A., Nutzenadel, Ch., Sudan, P., and Schlapbach, L.: Synthesis of oriented nanotube films by chemical vapor deposition. Carbon 40, 1339 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Valentini, L., Biagiotti, J., Kenny, J.M., and Santucci, S.: Morphological characterization of single-walled carbon nanotubes-PP composites. Compos. Sci. Technol. 63, 1149 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Chen, W., Tu, J., Wang, L., Gan, H., Xu, Z., and Zhang, X.: Tribological application of carbon nanotubes in a metal-based composite coating and composites. Carbon 41, 215 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Zhong, R., Cong, H., and Hou, P.: Fabrication of nano-Al based composites reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes. Carbon 41, 848 (2003).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7.Xia, Z., Riester, L., Curtin, W.A., Li, H., Sheldon, B.W., Liang, J., Chang, B., and Xu, J.M.: Direct observation of toughening mechanisms in carbon nanotube ceramic-matrix composites. Acta Mater. 52, 931 (2004).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Kinoshita, H., Ippei, I., Sakai, H., and Ohmae, N.: Synthesis and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/diamond-like carbon composite films. Diamond Relat. Mater. 16, 1940 (2007).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Wei, C., Wang, C-I., Tai, F.C., Ting, K., and Chang, R.C.: The effect of CNT content on the surface and mechanical properties of CNTs doped diamond like carbon films. Diamond Relat. Mater. 19, 562 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.Hu, H., Chen, G., and Zhang, J.: Facile synthesis of CNTs-doped diamond-like carbon film by electrodeposition. Surf. Coat. Technol. 202, 5943 (2008).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Oliver, W.C. and Pharr, G.M.: An improved technique for determining hardness and elastic modulus using load and displacement sensing indentation experiments. J. Mater. Res. 7, 1564 (1992).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Wei, C. and Yang, J-F.: A finite element analysis on the effects of residual stress, substrate roughness and non-uniform stress distribution on the mechanical properties of diamond-like carbon films. Diamond Relat. Mater. 20, 839 (2011).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Cai, X. and Bangert, H.: Finite element analysis of the interface influence on the hardness measurement of thin films. Surf. Coat. Technol. 81, 240 (1996).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Sangwal, K.: Review: Indentation size effect, indentation cracks and microhardness measurement of brittle crystalline solids – some basic concepts and trends. Cryst. Res. Technol. 44, 1019 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Chicot, D.: Hardness length-scale factor to model nano- and micro-indentation size effects. Mater. Sci. Eng., A 499, 454 (2009).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16.Sangwal, K., Surowska, B., and Blaziak, P.: Analysis of the indentation size effect in the microhardness measurement of some cobalt-based alloy. Mater. Chem. Phys. 77, 511 (2002).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Ebisu, T. and Horibe, S.: Analysis of the indentation size effect in brittle materials from nanoindentation load-displacement curve. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 30, 2419 (2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Ma, Q. and Clarke, D.R.: Size dependent hardness of silver single crystals. J. Mater. Res. 10, 853 (1995).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Nix, W.D. and Gao, H.: Indentation size effects in crystalline materials: A law for strain gradient plasticity. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 46, 411 (1998).CrossRefGoogle Scholar