Light metal modification and composite preparation by a new solid-state processing process: Rotational friction extrusion

Abstract

The light metal modification and composite preparation were achieved by a new solid-state processing process referred to as rotational friction extrusion (RFE) which is self-developed. The Al modified by RFE (RFEed Al) exhibited equiaxed grains with an average grain size of 17.5 μm and a high fraction of high-angle grain boundaries of 70.7%. The added reinforcement exhibited good dispersity in the fabricated Al matrix composite (AMC). The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the RFEed Al was only ∼20 MPa lower than that of the base metal, while the uniform elongation significantly increased from 2.1% of the base metal to 27%. Moreover, the AMC also displayed superior mechanical improvement, wherein the UTS and uniform elongation was 214.7 MPa and 13.5%, respectively. This new solid-state processing process is suitable for light metal modification and composite preparation.

Keywords

• Rotational friction extrusion
• Aluminum
• Microstructure
• Mechanical properties