Effects of γ-irradiation and strain rate on the tensile and the electrical properties of Al-4043 alloy

Effects of gamma-irradiation and strain rate on the tensile and the electrical properties of Al-4043 alloy were studied. Samples of Al-4043 alloy were exposed to gamma-rays using Co-60 radiation source with dose rate 74 Gy/min at room temperature (RT), in air. The different doses are 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 MGy, the samples were strained with strain rates (epsilon(center dot) = 5.4 x 10(-5), 7.6 x 10(-4) and 1.2 x 10(-3) s(-1)) at RT. It was found that; (i) the fracture stress (sigma(F)) increases as the dose and/or epsilon(center dot) increases while the fracture strain (epsilon(F)) decreases (ii) the strain rate sensitivity index (m) decreases as the dose increases and (iii) the electrical resistivity (rho) increases as the dose and/or epsilon(center dot) increases. Microstructure can be observed using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It indicates the presence of Si-phase distributed within the Al-matrix. The interpretation of the results was offered on the ground that gamma-rays interact with the alloy and create point and line defects that hinder the dislocation movement and finely distribute Si-phase leading to an increase in the alloy hardness. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.