Microstructural changes of SiCw/6061Al composite during compression at temperatures below and above the solidus of the matrix alloy

Elevated temperature compressive behavior of a 6061 aluminum alloy matrix composite reinforced with 20 vol.% β-SiC 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 superplasticity occurred in the composite during compression at 580 °C with the strain rate 0.37 s−1. The microstructure comprising whisker distribution and dislocation density of the matrix as well as interfacial reaction between the matrix alloy and the whisker of the composite before and after compression was observed and analyzed by using SEM and TEM.