Abstract
This work studied the correlation between Vickers and nano-hardness of SAF 2205
reinforced with TiN nanoparticles for the convenience of assessing its mechanical properties.
Spark plasma sintering was used to fabricate the composites. Micro and nanoindentations were
performed to determine micro and nanohardness values of the fabricated composite. Optical
microscope was used to assess the microstructure. The microstructure revealed that the TiN
dominated the ferrite/ferrite, ferrite/austenite and austenite/austenite grain boundaries. The
micro and nanohardness at the TiN dominated grain boundaries were higher compared to the grain
hardness. Hardness also increased considerably as the TiN nanoparticles increases. This is also
owed to the strengthening effect played by TiN at the grain boundaries by disrupting dislocation
motion in the composite. The determined Vickers hardness was plotted as a function of the
corresponding nanohardness, a good linear relation was found between Vickers hardness and
nanohardness. A linear relationship (HV = 215.15 + 15.03Hnano) was established which indicates that
there is no difference in behavior for the Vickers hardness and nano-
hardness.