Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet Reinforced Ti-6Al-4V Matrix Composites

doi:10.1007/s40195-025-01917-y

Abstract

Abstract:

Graphene is considered promising reinforcement for improving the mechanical properties of the titanium alloys. However, overcoming the strength-ductility trade-off in graphene-reinforced titanium composites remains a challenge. In this study, the high-performance graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) reinforced Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) matrix composites were successfully synthesized by combining the hot-pressing sintering and hot-rolling methods. Studies on the effect of GNPs on microstructures and properties of the as-sintered and as-rolled TC4 composites were systematically conducted. It indicates that the strength of the composites can be substantially enhanced by the addition of GNPs, primarily attributable to grain refinement and the pinning effect induced by in situ formed TiC particles. Moreover, the increase in the GNPs content results in a decrease in the plasticity of the as-sintered composites due to the aggregation of TiC. Additionally, hot rolling synchronously enhances the strength and plasticity of the composites by facilitating the homogeneous dispersion of TiC within the TC4 matrix. This work provided a potential strategy in designing the graphene-reinforced TC4 matrix composites with superior strength-ductility synergy.

Key words: Graphene, Hot-pressing sintering, Titanium matrix composites, Mechanical properties

Xinrui Gu, Xudong Yuan, Tingyi Yan, Biao Li, Haojie Liang, Jingyu Pang, Huameng Fu, Hongwei Zhang, Long Zhang. Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet Reinforced Ti-6Al-4V Matrix Composites[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(11): 1991-2000.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of the synthesis process of the GNPs reinforced TC4 matrix composites

Fig. 2 SEM images of ball-milled powders that contain a 0.1 wt%, b 0.2 wt% and c 0.3 wt% GNPs, with the inset showing their corresponding Raman curves. EDS of ball-milled powders that contain d 0.1 wt%, e 0.2 wt% and f 0.3 wt% GNPs

Fig. 3 a XRD patterns of 0.1G-T, 0.2G-T and 0.3G-T composites, b Raman spectra of 0.1G-T, 0.2G-T and 0.3G-T composites

Fig. 4 a SEM images of the as-sintered pure TC4. b-d SEM images of 0.1G-T, 0.2G-T and 0.3G-T composites, while their corresponding EDS analysis being shown below

Fig. 5 a SEM of 0.1G-T-HR. b, c XRD and Raman curves of 0.1G-T-HR, respectively

Fig. 6 a Tensile mechanical properties curves of as-sintered TC4, 0.1G-T, 0.2G-T, 0.3G-T and as-rolled 0.1G-T-HR at room temperature. b The comparison of the strength and ductility of graphene-reinforced titanium-based composites in the reported literature and current work

Fig. 7 SEM images of the tensile-fractured a pure TC4, b 0.1G-T, c 0.2G-T, d 0.3G-T and e 0.1G-T-HR composites, respectively. f The magnification image of e

Fig. 8 a TEM images of the 0.1G-T-HR with a1-a4 showing the corresponding EDS analysis. b High magnification image of the interface region. c HRTEM image of 0.1G-T-HR interface characteristic. d The magnified image of the marked area in c. e The magnified image of the marked area in d

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