Single walled carbon nanotubes reinforced intermetallic TiNi matrix nanocomposites by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

We report the processing of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) reinforced TiNi intermetallic matrix nanocomposites from Ti/Ni and SWCNTs powders using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at temperatures from 1000 °C to 1200 °C. The SWCNTs are doped into the TiNi matrix from 0.0 to 1.0 wt%. The effect of SWCNTs reinforcement contents on the relative density, phases, microstructure and microhardness of TiNi intermetallics matrix andCNTs/TiC/TiNi nanocomposites are studied. The experimental results show that the TiNi sintered at T= 1200 °C reinforced with 0.8 wt% SWCNTs has the highest Vicker’s microhardness and relative density, which were HV 5.29 GPa and 96%, respectively. That can be explained by the precipitation of TiC and Ti2Ni in the matrix.This study explores the possibility of developing novel TiNi matrix nanocomposites with shape memory effect and biocompatibility.