Hot formability of the 2124/SiCp investigated by processing map

The hot working behaviour of aluminium composites reinforced with SiC particles (26vol. %) has been studied by the Process Map method. Temperatures ranging from 300°C to 525°C and strain rates ranging from 0.001 s-1 to 0.1 s-1 have been used. In particular the map calculated at 0.5 true plastic strain shows two domains which are considered safe for hot working deformation process: the first located about the temperature of 325-375°C and strain rates of 0.008-0.03 s-1; the second spacing widely on all strain rates and closing to temperature of 500-525°C. At lower temperature (300-350°C) the material exhibits flow localization and banding phenomena, suggesting instability regime for plastic flow. Process Map sounds like a very promising method for hot deformation process optimisation, even if further tests at higher strain rates are required to approach industrial process parameters.