Mechanical behaviour of Al/Al₂O₃ composite in pseudo-semi-solid state during isothermal compression

To gain a better understanding of thixoforging for the Al₂O ₃-37Al composite, its mechanical behavior in the pseudo-semi-solid state was studied by isothermal compression tests. The results show that the values of peak stress obviously decrease with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate. The compressive true stress - strain curves of the Al₂O₃-37Al composite can be divided into four stages. They are rapidly ascending, decreasing, steady and slowly ascending. Moreover, the main deformation mechanism controlling deformation of the composite in the pseudo-semi-solid state is the sliding or rotary movement between solid particles.