Microstructure and phase composition of Al-Nb metal-matrix composites produced by shear deformation under pressure

Al and Nb billets with a coarse grain structure in the form of thin discs were stacked in the order of Al-Nb-Al and then deformed by shear under pressure. After the deformation the samples were annealed at 500°C for 30 min. The formation of an intermetallic compound AUNb was revealed by using X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. After postdeformation annealing, the amount of this compound increased. At the same time, the study of microhardness demonstrates a decrease of the value of microhardness after post-deformation annealing.