Effect of CNT Contents on the Microstructure and Properties of CNT/TiMg Composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), dispersed in absolute ethanol, were evenly mixed into Ti/MgH₂ powders by wet milling. Then, we applied the vacuum hot-pressed sinteringmethod to the CNTs/TiMg composite materials. An optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were used for the microstructure observation and phase analysis of samples. The mechanical properties were measured via the micro-vickers hardness. The results show that the main phases in the composites were Ti, Mg and C. Meanwhile, a small amount of Ti-Mg solid solution phase was also found. The cross-section morphology of the composites shows that the melted magnesium fills the grain interface during extrusion and that the composites have a better compactness.The microstructures of the composites have been greatly refined as the CNT contents increased. The structure of the composites was further refined when 0.5 wt.% CNTs were added. The fracture surface is obviously a ductile fracture. The microhardness increases obviously with the CNT content increasing. When the content of the CNTs is 1.0 wt.%, the microhardness of the composites reaches 232 HV, which is 24% higher than that of the matrix.