Simple, low-cost and high-quality fabrication of GNPs@Ti6Al4V powders for high-performance composites Inspired by pearl polishing

Abstract

Uniformly dispersing graphene in matrices is challenging, which is the key to achieving high performance for metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with graphene. Inspired by the process of polishing pearls, this work utilizes a vibratory polisher to mix high-purity graphite balls and Ti6Al4V powders for in-situ fabrication and homogeneous dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), by which the GNPs are exfoliated from the graphite balls via the friction force, and synchronously stick to the powders in one step. Whereby, the composite powders consisting of Ti6Al4V powders patched with GNPs were formed and then consolidated by spark plasma sintering. The 0.36 wt% GNPs reinforced Ti6Al4V matrix composite exhibits a tensile yield strength of 1010.8 MPa and an ultimate strength of 1075.3 MPa respectively, while possessing good ductility as high as 14.0 %. This work provides a simple and practical approach for the in-situ fabrication and uniform dispersion of GNPs in MMCs.