Effect of hot rolling on microstructures and mechanical properties of SiCp/A356 aluminum matrix composites
Yajun Luo, Jiaxiong Yi, Mingzhe Chen, Zhouhang Li, Zhenlin Zhang, Zhonghua Huang, Xiaogang Sun, Yi Zhang, Liang Wen, Zhenggang Wu
Abstract
This study focuses on the fabrication of SiC p /A356 aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) through stir casting and hot rolling, with the objective of investigating the effects of reduction on microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of SiC p /A356 AMCs. The composites were subjected to hot rolling at 500 °C for varying reduction levels of 30%, 50%, 70%, and 90%. As the reduction increased to 70%, the size of α-Al grains and SiC particle clusters increased. However, further reduction to 90% resulted in the flattening and elongation of α-Al grains, the dispersion of SiC particles into the grains, and a more uniform distribution of SiC particles. The relationship between reduction and SiC particle distribution was established. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength (YS) of SiC p /A356 AMCs showed a gradual increase with increasing reduction. The rolled composite with a 90% reduction exhibited the optimal combination of UTS, YS, and elongation (EL) values. Besides, the strengthening mechanisms were discussed and the dislocation strengthening has a significant contribution to the improvement of YS.