Since 1990s

carbon nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites have been received great attention

but have not yet been transferred into commercial applications. Up to now

powder metallurgy has become the main process for preparing this kind of metal matrix composite. By ball milling

extrusion

rolling or sever plastic deformation process

etc.

combing with coating on the surface of carbon nanotubes or in-situ carbon nanotubes

the dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the matrix and the interfacial bonding may be improved remarkably. At present

the high-performance metal matrix composites including 0.5% –7.5% volume fraction carbon nanotubes can be prepared. In this paper

the advances in the preparing process

microstructure and properties for carbon nanotube reinforced metal matrix composites are summarized

the potential applications

challenges and future directions are discussed.