Mechanical deformation behavior of aged Al-Cu alloys and innovative Al-Cu metal matrix composite fabricated using stircasting technique

This paper presents the deformation behavior of Al-5-wt% Cu alloy, Al-10-wt% Cu alloy (hypoeutectic alloys), and an innovative composite combination of the Al-5-wt% Cu alloy as the matrix and 5-wt% Cu powder as the reinforcement are considered. Cold up setting experiments on cylindrical samples of investigating alloys and composite were carried out at aged (T6) condition for aspect ratios H/D=1.5 and H/D=1.0. The specimens were deformed up to 50% in compression between two flat platens to predict the material flow at room temperature. The deformation behavior was analysed for stresses, hardness, strength coefficient 'k' and strain hardening exponent 'n'. The results shows the stresses increases in the initial stage of deformation then becoming less compressive as bulging develops. The composite shows low radius of curvature in both aspect ratios as compared to both the alloys. Strength coefficient(k) and strain hardening exponent(n) values are high for lower aspect ratio (H/D=1.0) as compared to high aspect ratio(H/D=1.5) for both alloys and composite and also the 'k' and 'n' values are high for composite as compared to both the alloys. (c) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.