Processing of Titanium Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Metal-Matrix Composites by the Induction Melting Method

Abstract

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) reinforced titanium (Ti) matrix composites were produced by powder metallurgy (PM) and induction heating methods. It was found that nickel coating and a fast processing time associated with the induction heating method enabled nanotubes to survive the high-temperature (above 1950 K) processing conditions. The nanotubes were first covered with a nickel coating via the electroless plating method and then dispersed in the powder by ball milling. The powder was then cold pressed to make a PM preform which was melted by induction heating in an argon environment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations as well as Raman and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy verification indicate that the nanotubes survived the high-temperature melting. Testing demonstrated that the hardness of the composites, which is directly related to strength, is improved with increasing weight percent of SWCNTs.