Achieving high strength and superior wear‐resistant properties in TiH2 matrix reinforced with graphene nanoplates

In this work, low‐cost TiC/Ti composites with high strength‐ductility and superior abrasive resistance are fabricated using hydrogenation‐dehydrogenation powder and graphene nanoplates as raw materials via spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot rolling (HR) processes. Effects of in situ TiC contents on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear behavior of the TiC/Ti composites are investigated. The results indicate that the microstructure after HR is equiaxial α‐Ti grain with random orientation. The TiC/Ti composite exhibits higher strength compared to pure Ti matrix after HR. The ultimate tensile strength of the 1.82 vol% TiC/Ti composite is 1059 MPa, which represents a 49.3% increase compared to pure Ti. The coefficient of friction of the TiC/Ti composite decreases from 0.51 to 0.43 with an increase in TiC contents. The improvement of strength is attributed to refinement strengthening, dislocation strengthening and TiC load transfer. In addition, the increase of TiC contents will reduce the friction coefficient of the composites, thereby improving the wear resistance of the composites. The article proposes a cost‐effective method with good prospects for industrial applications to improve the mechanical properties and wear‐resistant properties of the titanium alloys.