Lightweight aluminum (Al) matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanoscale silicon carbide (SiC) were fabricated using high-energy attrition milling, nitridation-induced self-forming consolidation (NISFAC), and hot pressing to improve mechanical performance through CNT/SiC hybrid reinforcement. Attrition milling refined the composite powders and promoted the incorporation of CNTs and SiC particles into the Al matrix, whereas NISFAC and hot pressing enabled near-full densification and effective interparticle bonding. Among the investigated compositions, Al/5CNT/3SiC showed the best mechanical performance, with a hardness of 197 HV, compressive yield strength of 432 MPa, compressive strength of 756 MPa, and Young’s modulus of 110 GPa. These improvements are attributed to the combined effects of load transfer, thermal-mismatch-induced dislocation strengthening, Orowan strengthening, and grain-boundary strengthening. Compared with values reported in the literature, the present composites showed competitive mechanical properties despite their relatively low reinforcement content. These findings indicate that CNT/SiC hybrid reinforcement combined with NISFAC and hot pressing is an effective route for producing dense, high-strength Al matrix composites.

1. Introduction 
2. Experimental procedure 
    2.1 Raw material 
    2.2 Preparation of composite powder 
    2.3 Consolidation and post processing of composite powder 
3. Results and discussion 
    3.1 Powder morphology evolution during milling 
    3.2 Microstructure of hybrid composites 
    3.3 Mechanical properties of hybrid composites 
4. Conclusions 
Funding
Conflict of Interest 
Data Availability Statement 
Author Information and Contribution 
Acknowledgments

• Ke Jiang(Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand) Corresponding author
• Kanhu Charan Nayak(Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kookmin University, 02707 Seoul, Republic of Korea)
• Jiwon Lee(Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kookmin University, 02707 Seoul, Republic of Korea)
• Kon-Bae Lee(Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kookmin University, 02707 Seoul, Republic of Korea)
• Hyunjoo Choi(Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Kookmin University, 02707 Seoul, Republic of Korea) Corresponding author