Comparison of flow behavior of as-cast and hot rolled Al-B4C composites by constant and differential strain rate tests

Abstract

High temperature tensile flow behavior of aluminum-boron carbide (Al-B4C) composites of 0, 5 and 15% B4C, hot rolled to ~88% with intermediate annealing at 350 °C, was investigated by constant initial strain rate (CIS) test technique at 500 °C and strain rate jump test technique over the temperature range of 400–500 °C. In the as-cast condition, the flow stresses obtained between CIS and strain rate jump test techniques were found to be significantly different at 500 °C. The strain rate sensitivity index (m) was found to be ~0.1 over for all the composites in both as-cast as well as hot rolled condition. Tensile elongations were found to be 0.36 in both as-cast and hot rolled aluminum, whereas the same reduced in Al-5% B4C composite to 0.35 and 0.27, respectively. The values of activation energy (Q) for deformation of rolled aluminum and Al-5% B4C composite were determined to be 194.2 and 73.4 kJ/mol, respectively. The microstructural examination, using SEM and EBSD techniques, revealed cavitation in aluminum upon differential strain rate test, and grain refinement upon rolling, which increased later during tensile test.