Microstructure and hot deformation behavior of A356/Al 2 O 3 composite fabricated by infiltration method

The hot deformation behavior of an A356/Al 2 O 3 composite fabricated by the infiltration method was characterized in the temperature range of 300-500 °C and strain rate range of 0.001-1/s using compressive tests. The composite consists of an Al-Si based matrix and nano-sized Al 2 O 3 particulates. A constitutive model was established based on the hyperbolic sine Arrhenius type equation and its hot workability was evaluated by means of processing maps based on Dynamic Material Modeling. The activation energy for hot deformation was calculated to be 223 kJ/mol, which is higher than the activation energy for self-diffusion of pure aluminum (142 kJ/mol). The optimum processing condition for the hot working of the composite was found to exist at 500 °C with a strain rate of 1/s, where a dynamic recrystallized microstructure was observed and the maximum efficiency was exhibited in the processing map. Voids were frequently detected at 500 °C with lower strain rates, deteriorating the workability of the composite.