On the work hardening behaviour of a rheocast SiC reinforced aluminum metal-matrix composite

Abstract

An understanding of the work hardening behaviour of paniculate reinforced metal-matrix composites is crucial in optimising the parameters for deformation processing of these materials. In this study the SiC reinforced aluminum metal-matrix composite was produced by a rheocasting procedure. The microstructure of the composite was characterized and the mechanical properties were determined. The rheocast composite exhibited a significant improvement in tensile strength compared to the unreinforced alloy. A modified continuum model was applied to relate the work hardening behaviour of the composite to microstructural parameters and to predict the fracture strain of the composite. The model is shown to predict the fracture strain of the composite quite accurately.