Effects of γ-irradiation and strain rate on the tensile and the electrical properties of Al-4043 alloy

•Fracture stress increases while fracture strain decreases as dose and/or ε increases.•The strain rate sensitivity index (m) decreases as the dose of γ-rays increases.•The electrical resistivity (ρ) increases as the dose of γ-rays and/or ε increases.•XRD and SEM indicate the presence of Si-phase distributed within the Al-matrix.•The lattice parameter, calculated from XRD, increases as the dose of γ-rays increases.

Effects of γ-irradiation and strain rate on the tensile and the electrical properties of Al-4043 alloy were studied. Samples of Al-4043 alloy were exposed to γ-rays using 60Co radiation source with dose rate 74 Gy/min at room temperature (RT), in air. The different doses are 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 MGy, the samples were strained with strain rates (ε=5.4×10–5, 7.6×10−4 and 1.2×10−3 s−1) at RT. It was found that; (i) the fracture stress (σF) increases as the dose and/or ε increases while the fracture strain (ɛF) decreases (ii) the strain rate sensitivity index (m) decreases as the dose increases and (iii) the electrical resistivity (ρ) increases as the dose and/or ε increases. Microstructure can be observed using X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It indicates the presence of Si-phase distributed within the Al-matrix. The interpretation of the results was offered on the ground that γ-rays interact with the alloy and create point and line defects that hinder the dislocation movement and finely distribute Si-phase leading to an increase in the alloy hardness.