Hot compressive deformation behavior of a eutectic Al–Si alloy based composite reinforced with α-Si3N4 whisker

Elevated temperature compressive deformation behavior of a 4032 aluminum alloy matrix composite reinforced with 20 vol.% α-Si3N4 whisker was investigated at the strain rate from 0.016 to 1.0 s−1. The deformation temperatures were below and above the solidus temperature of the composite, which was determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). It was found that the flow stress of the composite decreased with increasing compressive temperature. The microstructure of the composite was observed and analyzed by using optical microscope (OM) and TEM. The morphology of eutectic Al–Si was found to plays an important role in the compressive deformation behavior of the composite. In addition, there are interfacial reactions between the matrix alloy and the Si3N4 whiskers due to segregation of the alloy elements near the matrix/reinforcement interfaces.