Effects of Ti3C2TX size on mechanical properties of Ti3C2TX/ZK61 alloys

Two-dimensional (2D) Mxene (Ti3C2TX) is an emerging reinforcement. Due to its high aspect ratio and abundant surface functional groups, Ti3C2TX is widely used in polymer matrix composites and metal matrix composites (MMCs). In composites, the strengthening effect of Ti3C2TX is closely related to its lateral size, which is usually difficult to be controlled macroscopically. In this work, the Ti3C2TX flakes with two different lateral sizes are prepared by etching Ti3AlC2 powders with different sizes. The lateral size of Ti3C2TX flakes prepared by etching 400 mesh Ti3AlC2 powders is about 0.67 mu m (F1), and that of Ti3C2TX flakes prepared by etching 200 mesh Ti3AlC2 powders is about 1.83 mu m (F2). The F1/ZK61 and F2/ZK61 composites are prepared by spark plasma sintering. The hardness and compressive yield strength (CYS) of the F1/ZK61 composite increased by 16.5% and 8.2%, respectively. The hardness and CYS of the F2/ZK61 composite increased by 7.9% and 5.3%, respectively. This work reveals the effects on mechanical properties by controlling the lateral size of Ti3C2TX flakes in the Ti3C2TX/ZK61 composites.