Data for: Nanoindentation studies of the mechanical behaviours of spark plasma sintered multiwall carbon nanotubes reinforced Ti6Al4V nanocomposites

In this study, the influence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) additions on the mechanical properties of sintered Ti6Al4V-based nanocomposites was investigated. The nanocomposites were fabricated with varying weight fractions of MWCNT (0.5, 1.0 & 1.5 wt.%) using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. Investigations were carried out using nanoindentation of varying indentation loads (50 mN, 75 mN and 100 mN) to assess the nanohardness (H) and reduced elastic modulus (Er) of the alloy and nanocomposites. Further analysis was done to evaluate the elastic recovery index (W_e⁄W_t ), plasticity index (W_p⁄W_t ), elastic strain resistance (H⁄E_r ) and yield pressure (H^3⁄(E_r^2 )) at the maximum load. Microstructural analysis revealed the presence of the MWCNT dispersed across the alpha and beta phases of the Ti6Al4V matrix. The nanoindentation studies showed that the nanohardness, elastic modulus, elastic recovery index, elastic strain resistance and anti-wear properties improved with the MWCNT addition and continually increased with increase in nanotubes content. Also, it was observed that the nanohardness and reduced elastic modulus of the fabricated nanocomposites are in the range of 4677-9276 MPa and 29.3-60.9 GPa respectively which declined with increase in indentation load. The sintered Ti6Al4V displayed the least resistance to plastic deformation.