Mechanical properties of aluminium/Inconel 601 composite wires formed by swaging.

This work investigates the formability of a composite made of a pure aluminium matrix reinforced with an Inconel fibre network. Composites were formed into wires by swaging, to a true strain ɛ_true = 2.7. Thermal expansion, Young's modulus and tensile properties of these wires were measured. Young's modulus of the wires is slightly larger than that of the as-cast composites, indicating that no significant porosity is present in the composite after deformation. Tensile strength and ductility are found to decrease with increasing reduction of diameter. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations show that fibres align during swaging and that fibre fragmentation occurs beyond a certain strain. Fibre fragments reach a critical aspect ratio of about 7 after a swaging true strain of 1.5. Qualitatively, the evolution of the properties is explained by a combination of fibre fragmentation and fibre alignment effects. Properties of the wires are discussed using the Clyne model and the Nardone and Prewo model (modified shear lag models). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]