The size effect of SiC particulates on activation energy for superplastic flow in a 2124 Al metal matrix composite

In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the size effect of SiC particulates on the superplastic flow of a PM 20 vol %SiCp/2124 Al composite with a special interest in its effect on the true activation energy for superplastic flow. For this purpose, the plastic-flow characteristics of a 20%SiCp/composite with an average reinforcement size of 8 μm was inspected. The result was compared with the data for the 20%SiCp/composite with a smaller size of reinforcement (3 μm) that was previously shown to be HSR superplastic.