Ti powders and Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were used for in-situ synthesis of Ti/TiC composites through ball milling followed by conventional press-sintering or spark plasma sintering (SPS) at different temperatures. During milling, GNPs exhibited a cushioning effect. The in-situ formation of TiC particles was confirmed during both sintering processes. However, utilizing the SPS technique resulted in accelerated TiC formation with an increased content and more uniform distribution. Consequently, for the Ti/0.5wt%GNP sample SPSed at 1100 °C, the hardness and compressive strength increased and reached maximum values of 330 HV and 1798 MPa, respectively. Results of Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that a hybrid Ti-based composite containing both GNP and in-situ TiC dispersoids can be fabricated by SPS at an optimal temperature.
Fernández SilvaBLevano BlanchOSagooK, et al.Effect of processing route on ballistic performance of Ti-6Al-4V armour plate. Mater Sci Technol2023; 39: 2910–2920.
2.
YangZSongZYYuHL, et al.Effect of natural attapulgite mineral on microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological behaviors of in-situ TiB/Ti composite by SPS method. J Alloys Compd2024; 976: 173185.
3.
TjandraJAlabortEBarbaD, et al.Corrosion, fatigue and wear of additively manufactured Ti alloys for orthopaedic implants. Mater Sci Technol2023; 39: 2951–2965.
Jaya TejaPRanjan ShialSChairaD, et al.Development and characterization of Ti-TiC composites by powder metallurgy route using recycled machined Ti chips. Mater Today Proc2020; 26: 3292–3296.
6.
GuHZhangJSunJ, et al.Refinement behaviour of microstructure in in-situ synthesised (TiB+TiC)/Ti6Al4V composites by laser melting deposition. Mater Sci Technol2023; 39: 2662–2669.
7.
ShialSRMasantaMChairaD. Recycling of waste Ti machining chips by planetary milling: generation of Ti powder and development of in situ TiC reinforced Ti-TiC composite powder mixture. Powder Technol2018; 329: 232–240.
8.
LeeWHSeongJGYoonYH, et al.Synthesis of TiC reinforced Ti matrix composites by spark plasma sintering and electric discharge sintering: a comparative assessment of microstructural and mechanical properties. Ceram Int2019; 45: 8108–8114.
9.
WangYTanHFengZ, et al.Enhanced mechanical properties of in situ synthesized TiC/Ti composites by pulsed laser directed energy deposition. Mater Sci Eng A2022; 855: 143935.
10.
AwotundeMAAdegbenjoAOAjideOO, et al.Influence of Ti/TiC interface and its site of formation on the properties of powder metallurgically fabricated Ti-based composites reinforced with carbonaceous materials: a review. Crit Rev Solid State Mater Sci2023; 48: 643–667.
11.
SunFHuangLZhangR, et al.In-situ synthesis and superhigh modulus of network structured TiC/Ti composites based on diamond-Ti system. J Alloys Compd2020; 834: 155248.
12.
VasanthakumarKKarthiselvaNSChawakeNM, et al.Formation of TiCx during reactive spark plasma sintering of mechanically milled Ti/carbon nanotube mixtures. J Alloys Compd2017; 709: 829–841.
13.
GürbüzMMutukTMechanicalUP. Wear and thermal behaviors of graphene reinforced titanium composites. Met Mater Int2021; 27: 744–752.
14.
LeiCDuYZhuM, et al.Microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ TiC/Ti composites with a laminated structure synthesized by spark plasma sintering. Mater Sci Eng A2021; 812: 141136.
15.
ZhengYFYaoXSuYJ, et al.Fabrication of an in-situ Ti-2.6vol%TiC metal matrix composite by thermomechanical consolidation of a TiH2-1vol%CNTs powder blend. Mater Sci Eng A2016; 667: 300–310.
16.
WeiW-HShaoZ-NShenJ, et al.Microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ formed TiC-reinforced Ti–6Al–4V matrix composites. Mater Sci Technol2018; 34: 191–198.
17.
ZhangCGuoZYangF, et al.In situ formation of low interstitials Ti-TiC composites by gas-solid reaction. J Alloys Compd2018; 769: 37–44.
18.
SongYLiuWSunY, et al.Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of graphene oxide-reinforced Ti6Al4V matrix composite fabricated using spark plasma sintering. Nanomaterials2021; 11: 1440.
19.
YanQChenBYeW, et al.Extraordinary antiwear properties of graphene-reinforced Ti composites induced by interfacial decoration. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces2022; 14: 27118–27129.
20.
ChenHMiGLiP, et al.Microstructure and tensile properties of graphene-oxide-reinforced high-temperature titanium-alloy-matrix composites. Materials (Basel)2020; 13: 3358.
21.
LiuJHuNLiuX, et al.Microstructure and mechanical properties of graphene oxide-reinforced titanium matrix composites synthesized by hot-pressed sintering. Nanoscale Res Lett2019; 14: 14.
22.
GürbüzMMutukT. Effect of process parameters on hardness and microstructure of graphene reinforced titanium composites. J Compos Mater2018; 52: 543–551.
23.
NakatsukaOHisadaKOidaS, et al.Crystalline structure of TiC ultrathin layers formed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite by chemical reaction from Ti/graphite system. Jpn J Appl Phys2016; 55: 06JE02.
24.
ZhangXSongFWeiZ, et al.Microstructural and mechanical characterization of in-situ TiC/Ti titanium matrix composites fabricated by graphene/Ti sintering reaction. Mater Sci Eng A2017; 705: 153–159.
25.
SunGZhuangSJiaD, et al.Facile fabricating titanium/graphene composite with enhanced conductivity. Mater Lett2023; 333: 133680.
26.
SongYChenYLiuWW, et al.Microscopic mechanical properties of titanium composites containing multi-layer graphene nanofillers. Mater Des2016; 109: 256–263.
27.
MuXNZhangHMCaiHN, et al.Microstructure evolution and superior tensile properties of low content graphene nanoplatelets reinforced pure Ti matrix composites. Mater Sci Eng A2017; 687: 164–174.
28.
CaoH-cLiangY-l. The microstructures and mechanical properties of graphene-reinforced titanium matrix composites. J Alloys Compd2020; 812: 152057.
29.
GovoreanuRSaveynHVan der MeerenP, et al.A methodological approach for direct quantification of the activated sludge floc size distribution by using different techniques. Water Sci Technol2009; 60: 1857–1867.
30.
ArdestaniMZakeriMNayyeriMJ, et al.Synthesis of Ag-ZnO composites via ball milling and hot pressing processes. Materials Science-Poland2014; 32: 121–125.
31.
Hassanzadeh-TabriziSA. Precise calculation of crystallite size of nanomaterials: a review. J Alloys Compd2023; 968: 171914.
32.
AzadkoliGAzadkoliPMoazami-GoudarziM. Enhanced strength and ductility of biodegradable Zn-1Mg alloy through EECAP processing at different temperatures. Met Mater Int2025. doi:10.1007/s12540-025-01892-0
33.
RahimiEArdestaniMMoazami-GoudarziM, et al.Microstructure and mechanical properties of brass/Mo composites processed via pressureless and spark plasma sintering. Mater Chem Phys2019; 223: 805–814.
34.
RashidiKMoazami-GoudarziMMasoudiA. Powder processing, characterization and mechanical properties of Al/GNP composites. Mater Chem Phys2020; 256: 123719.
35.
HuangS-JMoseMP. High-energy ball milling-induced crystallographic structure changes of AZ61-Mg alloy for improved hydrogen storage. Journal of Energy Storage2023; 68: 107773.
36.
OzdemirIAhrensSMücklichS, et al.Nanocrystalline Al–Al2O3p and SiCp composites produced by high-energy ball milling. J Mater Process Technol2008; 205: 111–118.
37.
ShangCZhangFZhangB, et al.Interface microstructure and strengthening mechanisms of multilayer graphene reinforced titanium alloy matrix nanocomposites with network architectures. Mater Des2020; 196: 109119.
38.
LiSSunBImaiH, et al.Powder metallurgy titanium metal matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphite. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2013; 48: 57–66.
39.
QianMYangYFLuoSD, et al.12 - Pressureless sintering of titanium and titanium alloys: sintering densification and solute homogenization. In: QianMFroesFH (eds) Titanium powder metallurgy. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2015, pp.201–218.
40.
KasebIMoazami-GoudarziMAbbasiA. Effect of particle size on the compressibility and sintering of titanium powders. Iranian Journal of Materials Forming2019; 6: 42–51.
41.
QiuYWangZOwensACE, et al.Antioxidant chemistry of graphene-based materials and its role in oxidation protection technology. Nanoscale2014; 6: 11744–11755.
42.
PanYZhangJWuX, et al.Grain growth kinetics and densification mechanism of Ti/CaB6 composites by powder metallurgy pressureless sintering. J Alloys Compd2023; 939: 168686.
LohseBHCalkaAWexlerD. Raman Spectroscopy sheds new light on TiC formation during the controlled milling of titanium and carbon. J Alloys Compd2007; 434-435: 405–409.
45.
MalardLMPimentaMADresselhausG, et al.Raman Spectroscopy in graphene. Phys Rep2009; 473: 51–87.
46.
HezavehTMoazami-GoudarziMKazemiA. Effects of GNP on the mechanical properties and sliding wear of WC-10wt%Co cemented carbide. Ceram Int2021; 47: 18020–18029.
47.
FeriaDJde Almeida FilhoSALopesAT, et al.Direct CVD graphene growth onto surgical stainless steel for orthopedic implants. Diamond Relat Mater2024; 149: 111548.
48.
ZhangFWangJLiuT, et al.Enhanced mechanical properties of few-layer graphene reinforced titanium alloy matrix nanocomposites with a network architecture. Mater Des2020; 186: 108330.
49.
DingLXiangDPPanYL, et al.In situ synthesis of TiC cermet by spark plasma reaction sintering. J Alloys Compd2016; 661: 136–140.
50.
CasiraghiCPiazzaFFerrariAC, et al.Bonding in hydrogenated diamond-like carbon by Raman spectroscopy. Diamond Relat Mater2005; 14: 1098–1102.
51.
ScharfTWPrasadSV. Solid lubricants: a review. J Mater Sci2013; 48: 511–531.
