Effect of deformation temperature on the hot compressive behavior of metal matrix composites with misaligned whiskers

A multi-inclusion cell model is used to investigate the effect of deformation temperature and whisker rotation on the hot compressive behavior of metal matrix composites with misaligned whiskers. Numerical results show that deformation temperature influences the work-hardening behavior of the matrix and the rotation behavior of the whiskers. With increasing temperature, the work hardening rate of the matrix decreases, but the whisker rotation angle increases. Both whisker rotation and the increase of deformation temperature can induce reductions in the load supported by whisker and the load transferred from matrix to whisker. Additionally, it is found that during large strain deformation at higher temperatures, the enhancing of deformation temperature can reduce the effect of whisker rotation. Meanwhile, the stress-strain behavior of the composite is rather sensitive to deformation temperature. At a relatively lower temperature (150 degrees C), the composite exhibits work hardening due to the matrix work hardening, but at relatively higher temperatures (300 degrees C and above), the composite shows strain softening due to whisker rotation. It is also found that during hot compression at higher temperatures, the softening rate of the composite decreases with increasing temperature. The predicted stress-strain behavior of the composite is approximately in agreement with the experimental results.