Fine scale structures from deformation of aluminium containing small alumina particles

• Published in: Acta materialia Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 171 - 182
• Main Authors: Barlow, C.Y, Hansen, N, Liu, Y.L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 08.01.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Al alloys; Applied sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dislocations; Dispersion-, fiber-, and platelet-reinforced metal-based composites; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Metals. Metallurgy; Microstructure; Other materials; Physics; Specific materials; Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); Mechanical properties; Al alloys; Microstructure; Transmission electron microscopy (TEM); Dislocations; Aluminium base alloys; Composite materials; Transmission electron microscopy; Plastic deformation; Experimental study; Alumina; Dispersion strengthened metal
• ISSN: 1359-6454; 1873-2453
• DOI: 10.1016/S1359-6454(01)00330-5

Microstructures and mechanical properties have been studied in aluminium containing a fine dispersion of alumina particles, deformed by cold-rolling to strains between 1.4 and 3.5. The microstructure was characterised by TEM. The deformation structures evolved very rapidly, forming a nanostructured material, with fine subgrains about 0.2 μm in diameter and a fraction of high-angle boundaries which was already high at a strain of 1.4, but continued to increase with rolling strain. The yield stress and ductility of the rolled materials were measured in tension, and properties were similar for all materials. Yield stress measurements were correlated with estimates made using microstructural models. The role of small particles in forming and stabilising the deformation structure is discussed. This nanostructured cold-deformed alloy has mechanical properties which are usefully enhanced at comparatively low cost. This gives it, and similar particle-strengthened alloys, good potential for commercial exploitation.