Effect of Deformation Route on the Styructure and Properties of Hot-Forged Aluminum-Matrix Composites

Abstract

The structure and mechanical properties of aluminum-matrix composites produced by hot forging of billets consisting of Al and 15% (wt.) TiC–20% Al master alloy powder mixture are investigated. Cylindrical and hollow cone starting billets are used for forging. It is shown that both the strength and hardness of the composites produced from conical billets noticeably exceed the similar characteristics of the materials produced from cylindrical billets. In comparison with cylindrical billets, the use of conical billets for forging provides a considerable increase in material deformation strain intensity and leads to the increase in matrix phase microhardness of the composites.