Abstract:
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) reinforced pure titanium matrix (GNPs/Ti) composites were prepared by ball milling dispersion and powder metallurgy methods. The preparation process of GNPs/Ti composites mainly includes the preparation of composite powders, the pressing molding of composite materials, and the high temperature sintering. The microstructure, morphology, composition of facies, defects and layers of GNPs were analyzed and detected by means of optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Raman spectrum. The hardness and resistivity of the final sintered titanium block and graphene reinforced titanium matrix composites were characterized by microhardness meter and four probe resistor meter. The results show that GNPs do exist in the composites and are stable in the titanium matrix. The addition of graphene microchips makes the hardness and conductivity of the composite material generally larger. When the addition of GNPs was 0.3 wt%, the hardness of the composite material reached maximum (429 HV), which was 80% higher than the hardness of pure titanium sintered under the same conditions (234 HV).Its conductivity reached a maximum (432 S·m
−1) when the addition of GNPs was 0.4 wt %, which was 1.73 times higher than the conductivity (158 S·m
−1) of pure titanium sintered under the same conditions. In this paper, the reasons of hardness and conductivity enhancement of composite materials are analyzed.