Achieving enhanced tensile ductility in an Al-6061 composite processed by severe plastic deformation

Tests were conducted on a metal matrix composite with an Al-6061 alloy as the matrix material and with 10 vol.% of alumina particulates as the reinforcement. For comparison purposes, some additional tests were also conducted on the unreinforced Al-6061 alloy. Processing of both materials was conducted by imposing severe plastic deformation through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). It is shown that ECAP is effective in refining the grain sizes of both materials to similar to 300 nm. Tensile tests were conducted at room temperature and at elevated temperatures to evaluate the mechanical properties after ECAP. The results show there is a potential for achieving high ductilities in the composite after processing by ECAP. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.