Hot-deformation behaviour of spray-formed 2014 Al + SiCP metal matrix composites

Abstract

In the present investigation, discontinuous SiC particle reinforced 2014 Al alloy based metal matrix composites have been produced by spray forming process. The composites contained average particle sizes of 17, 30 and 58 μm in the range of 5–11 vol.%. The composites were tested for their compressive flow behaviour, in unlubricated condition, at strain rates of 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 s−1 and at temperatures of 150, 300 and 450 °C. The flow stress for 30 μm size particle reinforced composite increased with increasing particle content from 0 to 8.5 vol.%, but decreased at 11 vol.%. The flow stress invariably decreased at larger strain values during deformation. The increase in particle size from 17 to 30 μm led to increase in flow stress at 300 °C, whereas, it decreased at 450 °C. The strain rate sensitivity (m) for 30 μm size particle reinforced composite was close to 0.16 up to 8.5 vol.%, whereas, for the composite with 17 μm size particles it decreased to 0.13 with increasing volume fraction up to 8.6 vol.%. The m values increased from 0.13 to 0.15 with increase in particle size from 17 to 58 μm. The variation in flow behaviour has been attributed mainly to particle fracture and debonding at particle/matrix interface, confirmed by microstructural features of the deformed samples. The major particle fracture events were recorded at low temperature and low strain rate of deformation. The composite with 30 μm size particles showed enhanced restoration process based on the low value of calculated apparent activation energy for diffusion (80–100 kJ mol−1). This deformation behaviour of the composites has been discussed in light of microstructural observations and the void formation during deformation.