Superplastic deformation of SiC_p/2024 Al composite fabricated by spray atomization and codeposition

In this paper, data are presented on the microstructure and superplastic deformation mechanics of an aluminum alloy, 2024, containing 10 vol% SiC particles. The material was fabricated by spray atomization and codeposition. The properties were studied after pretreatment by isothermal hot compression and isothermal hot forward extrusion (extrusion ratio 10.0). The experimental results show that the strain-rate sensitivity index (m-value) is 0.48 and the limit elongation (the elongation at fracture) is 345% during superplastic uniaxial tension. The optimum conditions for superplastic behavior are 753 K of deformation temperature and 1.0 × 10^-3 s^-1 of initial strain rate. Superplasticity may result from the fine grain size and the well-distributed SiC particles during superplastic uniaxial tension. Moreover, the simple and convenient pretreatment used in this paper is easily applied to industrial practice.