Raman spectroscopy

Tantalum

Metallurgy

Materials science

Carbide

Nuclear physics

Plasma

Indentation

Nanoindentation

Physics

Tantalum carbide

Optics

Spark plasma sintering

Fracture toughness

Composite material

Sintering

Scanning electron microscope

Toughness

Materials Science and Engineering A

Graphene NanoPlatelets (GNP) reinforced tantalum carbide composites are synthesized by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at processing conditions of 1850 °C and 80–100 MPa. The GNP addition enhances the densification of TaC–GNP composites to 99% theoretical density, while reducing the grain size by over 60% through grain wrapping mechanism. Survival and structure retention of GNP is confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Nanoindentation and high load (20–30 N) microindentation are utilized to evaluate elastic modulus and hardness. GNP improves fracture toughness of TaC by up to 99% through toughening mechanisms such as GNP bending, sheet sliding, cracking bridging, and crack deflection.

Graphene NanoPlatelets reinforced tantalum carbide consolidated by spark plasma sintering