Effect of volume fraction of SiC_p reinforcement on the processing maps for 2124 Al matrix composites

Abstract

The hot working characteristics of 2124 Al alloy matrix composites reinforced with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 vol pct of SiC particulate, produced by the powder metallurgy route, were studied using processing maps. The maps based on the dynamic materials model were generated from the flow stress data obtained from hot compression tests, carried out at strain rates ranging from 0.001 to 10 s⁻¹ and temperatures ranging from 300°C to 525°C. All the compositions studied exhibited domains of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and superplasticity. Flow instabilities were found at higher strain rates and lower temperatures. The composite with 10 vol pct SiC showed a tendency for abnormal grain growth at lower strains, which manifested itself as a shift in the DRX domain to lower strain rates and the disappearance of the superplasticity domain.