Ni/h-BN composites with high strength and ductility

Abstract

Ni-x%BN composites (x = 0.001, 0.05, and 0.1 wt%) with enhanced tensile and bending strength, as well as high ductility were fabricated by a combination of ball milling and spark plasma sintering. Material with 0.05 wt% of hexagonal BN (h-BN) nanoflakes show an increase in tensile strength of 26% (25 °C) and 63% (750 °C) compared to additive-free Ni counterpart and high ductility. Doping with h-BN increases the resistance to plastic deformation at both room and high temperatures. The bending strength of Ni-0.05%BN composite at room temperature has been increased by 121%. Small addition of h-BN leads to a decrease in the Ni grain size, and solid solution and grain boundary strengthening.