Corrosion behavior of GO-reinforced TC4 nanocomposites manufactured by selective laser melting

To improve the corrosion resistance of Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) matrix, the influence on the corrosion behavior, microhardness, and microstructure of graphene oxide (GO)-reinforced TC4 nanocomposites manufactured by selective laser melting was systematically investigated in this study. Microhardness tester, profilometer, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical workstation were used to characterize the association between microhardness, pore microstructures, hard phases, and corrosion resistance of GO/TC4 nanocomposites. It can be observed that the incorporation of GO promotes the in situ formation of hard phases, such as TiC, TiO2, Al2O3, and so forth, and it also changes the microstructure of the matrix as well as increases its porosity. Nevertheless, GO/TC4 nanocomposites perform the best corrosion resistance when the mixing content of GO is 0.5 wt%, and its microhardness is greatly improved with the addition of GO. All experimental results suggest the efficacy of added GO.