Microstructural Evolution of Reinforcing Media in a Metal Matrix Composite During Hot Deformation

摘要

Although a considerable amount of research on participate reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) has concentrated either on their primary processing, or on their failure while in service, little attention has been given to their mechanical and/or physical behavior during secondary processing. This research investigated the effect of both room and high temperature deformation on the microstructural development of the aluminum alloy 2618 reinforced with 17% SiC particles by volume. Particular attention was directed towards the fracture behavior of the reinforcing particles deformed under conditions of axisymmetric compression. Results from extensive quantitative metallography show that SiC particles can be significantly refined during thermomechanical processing. Additionally, at these elevated deformation temperatures, particles redistribute themselves within the matrix, resulting in a more homogeneous distribution.