Abstract Scope |
Ni-Ti-C metal matrix composites (MMC) with in situ formed, homogeneously distributed titanium carbide (TiC), as well as graphite reinforcement in nickel metal matrix, were synthesized using Mechanical Alloying (MA) followed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). MA has gained special attention as a powerful non-equilibrium process for the fabrication of nanocrystalline and composite materials, whereas spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a unique technique for processing dense and near net shape bulk MMCs with homogenous microstructures. These composites consist of an in situ formed and homogeneously distributed nanoscopic TiC and graphite precipitates reinforcing the nickel matrix. Additionally, by tailoring the Ti/C ratio in these composites, an additional graphitic phase can also be engineered into the microstructure. All in situ Ni-Ti-C composites exhibited excellent microhardness as well as tribological properties compared to pure nickel primarily due to presence of homogeneously distributed TiC and C precipitates within the nickel matrix. |