Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties in ultrafine grained Al/TiC composite fabricated by accumulative roll bonding

In this study, the influence of nano-TiC particle on microstructure development and mechanical properties of Al/TiC composite fabricated by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) was considered to investigate. Microstructural characterization by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) system proved that the grain size decreased to around 200 nm and the TiC reinforcement particles were uniformly distributed in the Al matrix by 7-cycle of the ARB process. It is also found that presence of the TiC particles could accelerate grain refinement. Uniaxial tensile test exhibited that yield and ultimate tensile strength significantly improved more than four times in the 7-cycle ARB processed Al/TiC composite compared with the annealed aluminum specimen which used as the starting material. In addition, the obtained results demonstrated that adding the TiC reinforcement particles could improve the yield strength of the 7-cycle ARB processed Al sheet about 40 percentage.