Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of graphene reinforced Ti-6Al-4V matrix composites: Defective vs high-quality graphene

Graphene reinforced Ti6Al4V composites were fabricated by ball milling, fast hot press sintering, and hot rolling. Graphene with two defect states, high quality with pristine structure and low quality with defective structure, was introduced into the Ti6Al4V matrix. The microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of graphene reinforced Ti6Al4V matrix composites were investigated. The results indicated that the high quality graphene/ Ti6Al4V composite exhibited good strength-plasticity compatibility while the low quality graphene/Ti6Al4V composite had a severe interface reaction with a wide TiC interlayer and showed poor ductility due to the weak interface bonding.