Effect of Ag@rGO content on microstructures and mechanical properties of titanium matrix composites produced by spark plasma sintering
摘要
Titanium matrix composites with the addition of Ag@rGO particles (rGO is surface modified by Ag particles) were fabricated via spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of Ag@rGO content (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 wt.%) on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of the Ti-matrix composites were systematically investigated. With the increasing of the Ag@rGO particles content from 0.2 to 0.6 wt.%, the average grain sizes of the Ti matrix with SPS are rarely changed. While the structure of Ti matrix in the Ag@rGO/Ti composites are transformed to the dominant equiaxed α-phase from the lamellar α-phase in pure Ti with SPS. Meanwhile a small amount of TiC is found at higher Ag@rGO contents (0.4 and 0.6 wt.%). The structure of rGO is effectively preserved by surface-coated Ag nanoparticles. The Ag@rGO particles are well embedded in the Ti matrix and exhibit a strong interfacial bonding with the Ti matrix. With the content of Ag@rGO particles increasing from 0 to 0.6 wt.%, the microhardness and yield strength are gradually enhanced. Compared to pure Ti, the maximums of microhardness and yield strength existed in the 0.6 wt.% Ag@rGO/Ti composite are respectively increased by 37.1 and 33.6%. The enhancements in mechanical properties of Ag@rGO/Ti composites are primarily attributed to the second-phase strengthening and effective load transfer from Ag@rGO particles.