An examination of cavity development in an aluminum-6061 metal matrix composite processed by equal-channel angular pressing

Authors: Kawasaki, M., Huang, Y., Xu, C., Furukawa, M., Horita, Z., Langdon, T.G.

Journal: Ultrafine Grained Materials III

Publication Date: 15/07/2004

Pages: 25-30

Abstract:

An Al-6061 metal matrix composite, reinforced with 10 volume % Al 2O3 particulates having an ultrafine size of ∼270 nm, was subjected to equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) through one pass at 298 K and an additional 11 passes at a temperature of 473 K. Inspection showed the grain size was reduced from ∼3.5 μm to ∼1.9 μm through ECAP but there was no measurable change in the average size of the particulates. This paper describes the tensile testing of the as-pressed material at a temperature of 873 K and the subsequent examination of the fractured specimens for the presence of internal cavitation. The results demonstrate that a significant number of cavities develop during tensile testing at 873 K and it is shown through quantitative analysis that the majority of these cavities tend to be elongated in the approximate direction of the tensile axis.

Source: Scopus