Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering

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Abstract: Static recrystallization (SRX) behavior of a composite based 7075 Aluminum alloy reinforced with SiC particles was studied during annealing the deformed samples at high temperatures. The results showed an absence of SRX in the samples annealed after hot working at the same deformation temperature, however, a rise in annealing temperature of 100-1500 􀁱C above that the deformation temperature led to full recrystallization. This can be ascribed to the relatively moderate dynamic recovery and the presence of dispersions which stabilize the substructure. Particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) had a significant effect on the grain size in deformed samples at low temperature, but no PSN was observed in samples strained at high temperatures. The possible cause might be that at high temperature the dislocations can be annihilated by climb process around the particles together with the absence of deformation zone for nucleating the recrystallization.

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This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Cu and solution heat treatment on the microstructure and hardness of cast Al-Al4Sr metal matrix composite. Different amounts of Cu (0.3, 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 wt.%) were added to the composite. Specimens were heat treated at 500 °C for 4 hours followed by water quenching. Microstructural studies were assessed by the use of optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffractometry (XRD). The results showed that addition of 5 wt.% Cu reduces the length of large needle-like Al4Sr phase and refines the microstructure. In addition, the presence of Cu-intermetallics increases hardness of the composite. Cu mainly forms θ phase which segregates at the grain boundaries. Heat treatment partially dissolves Cu-intermetallics and homogenizes the distribution of θ phase in the matrix.

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This study deals with the effects of erbium (Er) addition on the microstructural evolution and tensile properties of Al-Mg₂Si in-situ metal matrix composites. The morphology of primary Mg₂Si and eutectic phases were observed in details using optical microscope and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the increase of Er content has a slight effect on the size and morphology of primary Mg₂Si phases, but the eutectic structure evolves from the coarse structure into the fine one. Also, with Er addition the eutectic mixtures of Al and Mg₂Si with fibrous morphology has been developed instead of the flake like Al-Mg2Si eutectic microstructure. Meanwhile, Al₃Er phase was observed in the samples containing Er. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composite changes under the various content of Er. The maximum strength was found at the 0.6 wt% Er with the fine eutectic microstructure. The study of SEM micrographs from the fracture surface of composites revealed that Er addition changes the fracture mode from brittle to ductile one with fine dimples. The mechanism of microstructural evolution was discussed in details.