Fabrication and mechanical behavior of powder metallurgy processed in situ Nb/Al sheet metal–metal composites

A deformation processed 20 vol.% Nb/Al metal–matrix composite sheet was fabricated with powder metallurgical (PM) route, i.e. by hot extrusion and cold rolling techniques. A comparative study was made on the mechanical properties for this rolled in situ 20 vol.% Nb/Al metal–metal composites and a powder metallurgy processed pure Al sheet specimens at room and elevated temperatures up to 773 K. The results showed that the Nb particulates developed an elongated ribbon-like morphology after severe cold rolling reduction (CRR) and the mechanical properties of this kind material were largely influenced by the cold rolling reductions. The tensile test results at both room and elevated temperatures and strengthening mechanisms were also discussed.