Nanoindentation Characterization on Microhardness of Micron-Level TiC and TiB Reinforcements in in-situ Synthesized (TiC+TiB)/Ti-6Al-4V Composite

The microhardness of micro-level TiC and TiB reinforcements in in-situ synthesized (TiC+TiB)/Ti-6Al-4V composite were investigated independently by spherical nanoindentation. The morphology of indentation on the matrix, reinforcements and the reinforcement / matrix interfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The influence of cracks on the load-displacement curves and microhardness were analysed and discussed. The...