Rapid and low temperature spark plasma sintering synthesis of novel carbon nanotube reinforced titanium matrix composites

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced titanium matrix composites were synthesized using a spark plasma sintering method at a low sintering temperature of 550 °C. The effects of the weight fraction of MWCNTs on the microstructures and the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. No reaction products were detected in the composites, indicating that the MWCNTs in the composites maintained their structural integrity after sintering, and thus, because of their advantageous properties, could reinforce the titanium matrix. As a result, the compressive strength of the composite containing 0.4 wt.% MWCNTs reached 1106 MPa, which was an increase of 61.5% compared to that of pure titanium under at the same conditions. In addition, the results revealed that compressive strength of the bulk compacts increased initially and then decreased with an increase in weight fraction of MWCNTs. However, compressive strain of the sintered composites continued to fall at a slow rate. The microhardness and thermal diffusivity of the composites rose steadily with an increasing content of MWCNTs. When the weight fraction of MWCNTs in the composites exceeded 0.8%, the compressive strength of the composites declined significantly due to the increasing aggregation of the MWCNTs.