Toward architecturing of metal composites by twist extrusion

The paper presents a new route for realizing the concept of architecturing of composites by severe plastic deformation. The proposed route involves multi-pass twist extrusion of a composite with fibers. The potential of the method is first illustrated by mathematical modeling and then tested through pilot processing of a composite consisting of a copper matrix and a single aluminum fiber. Metallographic analysis revealed an unexpected shape of the fiber after processing. Finite element simulations were performed to understand the evolution of the fiber shape and to optimize the processing regime for achieving improved reinforcements in twist-extruded composites