SLM processed TiNbZr-based composites

In our study, we investigated the effects of the silver-coated graphene (Ag@GNS) content on the microstructural and mechanical properties of Ti-13Nb-13Zr (TC26) based composites and explored their fracture mechanisms. The results showed that with an increase in Ag@GNS content, the in situ-generated TiC aggregated in the grain boundaries, which led to a decrease in α grain size and an increase in the dislocation density. Meanwhile, the density, 0.2% yield strength and ultimate tensile strength exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease. When the Ag@GNS content achieved 0.5 wt.%, the TC26 based composites demonstrated the best mechanical performance with the hardness of 387.87 HV0.1, 0.2% yield strength of 950.54 MPa and tensile strength of 1169.46 MPa, respectively, where the elongation maintained 6.49%. Moreover, the elastic modulus of 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite was 28.30 GPa, which meets the requirements of the elastic modulus of human implants. The tensile strength of the composites was affected by the contents of the reinforcing phases, TiC and Ti3Ag at the interface. Both excessive and insufficient reinforcing phases deteriorate tensile strength.  Therefore, these uploaded figures come from the results of above study. Figure 1 shows the Schematic diagram of Ag@GNS/TC26 composites prepared by SLM. Figure 2 shows the SEM images of titanium matrix composite powders with different Ag@GNS contents. (a) 0.3 wt.% Ag@GNS, (b) 0.5 wt.% Ag@GNS, (c) 0.7 wt.% Ag@GNS, (d) 0.9 wt.% Ag@GNSFigure 3 shows the XRD patterns of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents. (a) XRD patterns of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents, (b) Enlarged view of areas 37°-42°Figure 4 shows the OM images of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents. (a) 0.3Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (b) 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (c) 0.7Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (d) 0.9Ag@GNS/TC26 compositeFigure 5 shows the SEM images of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS content. (a-c) 0.3Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (d-f) 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (g-i) 0.7Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (j-l) 0.9Ag@GNS/TC26 compositeFigure 6 shows the Measured density of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents.Figure 7 shows the TEM, HRTEM and GPA images of 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite. (a) Bright-field TEM image of 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (b) Enlarged view of the yellow box in Fig. 7(a), (c) HRTEM image in yellow box in Fig. 7(b), (d) corresponding GPA image in Fig. 7(c).Figure 8 shows the Contrast, inverse polarity plots and grain size histograms of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents. (a1-a3) 0.3Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (b1-b3) 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (c1-c3) 0.7Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (d1-d3) 0.9Ag@GNS/TC26 composite.Figure 9 shows the KAM diagrams of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents. (a1, a2) 0.3Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (b1, b2) 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (c1, c2) 0.7Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (d1, d2) 0.9Ag@GNS/TC26 compositeFigure 10 shows the High-angle and low-angle grain boundaries distribution of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS content. (a) 0.3Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (b) 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (c) 0.7Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (d) 0.9 Ag@GNS/TC26 compositeFigure 11 shows the Parametric properties of composites. (a) hardness diagram, (b) stress-strain curve diagram, (c) reported properties of titanium matrix composites [9, 34, 43-47]Figure 12 shows the Fracture morphology of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS contents. (a) 0.3Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (b) 0.5Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (c) 0.7Ag@GNS/TC26 composite, (d) 0.9 Ag@GNS/TC26 compositeFigure 13 shows the Schematic diagram of the tensile process of titanium matrix composites with different Ag@GNS content.