Hot Forming Related Properties of Al-based Particulate Composites

The hot tensile deformation behaviour of the 6061/Al2O3, 2618/Al2O3 and 2618/SiC particulate reinforced composites was investigated over a range of temperatures and strain rates. A unreinforced 6061 monolithic alloy was also considered for comparison purposes. The composite materials exhibited a similar hot working behaviour with anticipated onset of matrix restoration mechanisms as a function of temperature with respect to the unreinforced alloy. Microstructural analyses on broken specimens allowed to observe reinforcement damage and matrix evolution during hot deformation