Effect of process parameters on hardness and microstructure of graphene reinforced titanium composites

In this study, the effect of the sintering time, temperature and graphene amount on titanium properties was examined for the first time in detail. From the results, the highly dense (4.39 g/cm3), most hard (from 390 HV to 566 HV) and improved microstructure for 0.15 wt% graphene addition were performed at 1100℃ for 120 min. The titanium composite properties have been reduced with increasing graphene due to damaged graphene and titanium carbide formation above 0.30 wt% graphene. To summarise, when pure titanium is compared with graphene reinforced titanium composites, the properties enhanced due to dislocation and fine grain strengthening mechanisms.