Micro-Mechanical Behavior of an Exceptionally Strong Metal Matrix Nanocomposite Processed by High-Pressure Torsion

Abstract

This research describes the micro-mechanical behavior of an Al-Mg alloy system synthesized from two separate commercial Al-1050 and ZK60 alloys through the application of high-pressure torsion (HPT) for five turns at room temperature. The essential mechanical characteristics of the alloys are observed at the corresponding phases in a multi-layered structure at the disk center but the edge contains a metal matrix nanocomposite (MMNC) exhibiting an apparent plastic instability and decreasing strain rate sensitivity under strain rates of 10⁻⁴-10⁻³s⁻¹. The results demonstrate a significant opportunity for using HPT processing to prepare new alloy systems involving a wide range of MMNCs.