Optimizing the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Metal Matrix ‎Composites: A Comparative Study of Finite Element and Semi-Empirical Approaches

Elkhawad Ali Elfaki

doi:10.48084/etasr.14195

Authors

Elkhawad Ali Elfaki Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Bisha, Bisha, Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1114-5702

Volume: 15 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 30633-30642 | December 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.14195

Received: 20 August 2025 | Revised: 20 September 2025 | Accepted: 6 October 2025 | Online: 8 December 2025

Corresponding author: Elkhawad Ali Elfaki

Abstract

This study analyzes the mechanical properties of Carbon Nanotube (CNT)-reinforced Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) using a novel integration of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and semi-empirical modeling, in order to evaluate the influence of CNT chirality, volume fractions, and lengths on longitudinal, transverse, and shear moduli, through a three-dimensional Representative Volume Element (RVE). The results reveal significant stiffness improvements of up to 76% for aluminum-based composites, especially those containing zigzag CNTs. A comparative analysis between FEA and Halpin-Tsai-based semi-empirical models reveals key modeling assumptions. This work advances the design of high-performance CNT-MMCs for use in the aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and energy sectors.

Keywords:

carbon nanotubes, metal matrix composites, finite element analysis, mechanical ‎properties

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