Effect of rolling and heat treatment on tensile behaviour of wrought Al-SiCp composites prepared by stir-casting

Al 6061- and Al 7108-SiCp composites (Al-PMMC) were prepared by stir-casting with SiCp size of 8 and 15 μm and volume fraction (Vf) of 0–20%. These composites were then subjected to successive hot rolling at 450 °C using a strain rate of 1 s⁻¹ while the intermediate period of heating between each two successive rolling steps was 1 min to 1 h. Tensile test was conducted on the as-rolled composite strips with 3.0, 1.1 and 0.4 mm thicknesses using 81, 94 and 98% reductions, subsequently, with a tensile rate of 10 MPa s⁻¹. Different tensile properties including ultimate tensile strength UTS, Young's modulus and elongation, were determined. The tensile behaviour was analysed in view of matrix alloy type and SiCp size and Vf. The effect of T6 treatment on the microstructure and tensile properties was also presented. Generally, successive hot rolling resulted in decreasing casting defects such as void and SiCp agglomeration present in the as-cast composites and hence enhanced mechanical properties were achieved. Almost 240 and 390% improvement in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) for 6061 and 7108 composite was obtained, respectively. The improvement in strength was remarkable for composites rolled to 0.4 mm. Annealing improved the elongation% at break of the 10–15% Vf composite more than 3 times. UTS of rolled composite was enhanced by T6 treatment at 176 °C and 120 °C for 6061 and 7108 composites. The effect of T6 treatment on the composite tensile behaviour was discussed.