Compressive Deformation Behavior of Al-10Si-5Fe-1Zr Powder Alloys Consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering Process

Compressive deformation behavior of Al-10Si-5Fe-1Zr (wt%) alloy preform fabricated by SPS(spark plasma sintering) of gas atomized powder was investigated in the temperature range from 380 to 480 degrees C and at strain rates from 1.0 x 10(-3) to 1.0 x 10(0) s(-1). Stress-strain curves showed a peak stress (sigma(p)) during initial stage of deformation, followed by a steady state flow at all temperatures and strain rates tested. The sigma(p) decreased with both increase in temperature and decrease in strain rate. Nearly full densification was found to occur in the compressively deformed specimens irrespective of test condition. TEM observation revealed a restricted grain growth during steady state flow.