Effect of Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) on microstructure and properties of Al-FeAlCr intermetallic phase composites

An aluminium matrix composite was prepared by mixing commercial aluminium powders and 15 vol % of FeAlCr powders and consolidation by hot extrusion. The extruded composite was subjected to severe plastic deformation by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature and at 150°C. The extruded composite presents a uniform distribution of particles although some defects are observed such as residual pores and particle agglomerates. The particle distribution does not show a significant change due to ECAP. The extruded composite exhibits a relatively fine grain size of the order of 1-2 μm that was refined to 550 nm after three ECAP passes at room temperature by route A and to 636 nm after four passes at 150°C by route Bc. The yield stress of the composites was increased by 140 to 180% after ECAP as compared with the extruded condition.