Synthesis of Ni-Ta on Ti-6Al-4V alloy using spark plasma sintering

Ti-6Al-4V-Ni-Ta composites were fabricated using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method. Sintering was carried out at the temperature of 1000 oC for 10 min holding time, an applied pressure of 50 MPa and heating rate of 100 oC/min on the relative density, microstructure and hardness of the composites. Simultaneous addition of 5 and 10 vol.% Ta was added to Ti-6Al-4V to give a particle reinforced composite. The characterization of the composites was performed by scanning electron microscopy. A microstructural study shows that Ni-Ta particles were distributed uniformly in the titanium matrix and transform from lamellar to produce a basket-weave like structure. The experimental results revealed that relative density of 98-99% was achieved for the sintered composites. Meanwhile microhardness increased with the increase in sintering time.