Effects of carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of spark plasma sintered titanium matrix composites — A review

Titanium and its alloys are highly desirable in various advanced applications because of their attractive properties. However, in order to be competitive with high strength steels or Ni-based alloys in specific applications, it is essential to enhance their mechanical properties by developing titanium matrix composites. Titanium matrix composites are potential materials to augment for the limitation of titanium and its alloys. This has prompt various researchers to utilize carbon nanotubes which are known for their unique electrical, mechanical and thermal properties as attractive reinforcements for fabricating light weight, high strength and high performance titanium matrix composites. This article focuses on the review of past works on the effects of carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of spark plasma sintered titanium matrix composites.