Nano-Indentation Characterization of TiC Nano Ceramic Reinforced Ti-6Al-4V Matrix Composite

Nano mechanical behavior of the Spark Plasma Sintered TiC nano particles reinforced Ti6Al4V (grade V) alloys have been investigated under quasi-static loading conditions. The grain orientation of the sintered compact were found to be improved by the incorporating of TiC nano particulates (ranging from 0 to 2.5 wt.%), and thereby enhancing the nano mechanical properties like hardness, Young’s modulus and indentation depth was observed to increased with the increase in reinforcement contents irrespective of the indentation loads (ranging from 600 to 800 μN). Thus the examining specimens were found to have nano-mechanical and anti-wear properties that are influenced by the applied indentation loads. H/Er and H³/Er² ratios of the nano composites were obtained higher, indicating better wear resistance than the unreinforced Ti-6Al-4V alloys. A sintered compact with 2.5 wt.% of TiC exhibited an indentation hardness value of 9.97 GPa and a modulus of elasticity of 171 GPa, both are higher than that of the Ti-6Al-4V monolithic alloy. In addition, sintered nano-composites exhibited better wear resistance and lower maximum indentation depths compared to Ti-6Al-4V monolithic alloys.