Experimental investigation and modelling of hot forming B₄C/AA6061 low volume fraction reinforcement composites

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the hot deformation behaviour of 15% B₄C particle reinforced AA6061 matrix composites and the establishment of a novel corresponding unified and physically-based visco-plastic material model. The feasibility of hot forming of a metal matrix composite (MMC) with a low volume fraction reinforcement has been assessed by performing hot compression tests at different temperatures and strain rates. Examination of the obtained stress-strain relationships revealed the correlation between temperature and strain hardening extent. Forming at elevated temperatures enables obvious strain rate hardening and reasonably high ductility of the MMC. The developed unified material model includes evolution of dislocations resulting from plastic deformation, recovery and punching effect due to differential thermal expansion between matrix and reinforcement particles during non-steady state heating and plastic straining. Good agreement has been obtained between experimental and computed results. The proposed material model contributes greatly to a more thorough understanding of flow stress behaviour and microstructural evolution during the hot forming of MMCs.