Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Graphene-Reinforced Ti-6Al-4V Composites Synthesized via Spark Plasma Sintering

Ti-6Al-4V alloy (TC4) with different concentrations of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were fabricated by ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Microstructure characteristics of the composites were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman. Microhardness and the compressive mechanical properties were also investigated. Experimental results showed that in the process of SPS, most of the GNPs were still retained at high pressure and temperature, and a new phase of TiC was presented due to the in-situ reaction between TiC and GNPs. Also, the strength of the composites was depended on the concentration of GNPs in TC4 matrix. Consequently, the composite with 0.8 wt. % GNPs was increased 18% in microhardness. The maximum yield strength and ductility of the composite were increased by 22.2% and 43.2%, respectively. The strengthening mechanism of the composites was further discussed, and the Orowan strengthening mechanism was the main strengthening factor.