THE THERMOMECHANICAL PROCESSING OF AL-SIC PARTICULATE COMPOSITES

The development of microstructure during the deformation and annealing of discontinuously reinforced metal matrix composites is discussed, with particular reference to composites having a pure aluminium matrix. The deformation inhomogeneities induced by the ceramic particles and the role of the particles on the nucleation and growth of recrystallized grains during subsequent heat treatment are considered. The effect of the ceramic particles on the microstructures developed during multipass hot rolling is shown to be complex, depending on particle size and volume fraction. The effect of deformation processing on the ceramic is discussed and, in particular, the fracture of ceramic particles, platelets and whiskers is considered.