Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Intermetallic TiNi Matrix Nanocomposites by Spark Plasma Sintering

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.