Achieving strength–ductility synergy in aluminum matrix composites through promoting the intragranular distribution of nanoparticles
Yanzhi Peng, Zunyan Xu, Li Fu, Liyuan Liu, Peng Gao, Qiong Lu, Xin You, Jianhong Yi, Caiju Li
Abstract
Achieving a uniform intragranular dispersion of nano-reinforcements in the powder metallurgy preparation of metal matrix composites (MMCs) is still a challenging problem. In order to alleviate this problem, the repeated deformation ball milling (RDBM) process is proposed, which can effectively inhibit the cold-welding phenomenon of composite powder, restart the plastic deformation process of composite powder, and improve the uniformity of reinforcements. The results show that the SiC nanoparticles (SiC p ) reinforced M142 composites prepared by the RDBM process show a uniform distribution of intragranular SiC p within matrix. Therefore, compared with conventional ball milled SiC p /M142 composites, the ultimate tensile strength and ductility of RDBMed SiC p /M142 composites are increased by 22% and 26%, respectively. The results show that RDBM process is an effective dispersion strategy. This work provides a new idea into the preparation of high strength and high ductility MMCs processed by powder metallurgy.