The impact of particle reinforcement with Al2O3, Tib2, and tic and severe plastic deformation treatment on the combination of strength and electrical conductivity of pure aluminum

Abstract

It has been found that a high electrical conductivity of 63.1%, the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS), and high mechanical properties are achieved by the initial aluminum alloy after undergoing four cycles of the severe plastic deformation (SPD) process. It has been found that when TiB2 particles are introduced into aluminum and the samples are subject to SPD, the mechanical characteristics of the aluminum alloy are improved. Microhardness (HV) increases from 329 to 665 MPa, yield strength (YS) increases from 38 to 103 MPa, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increases from 73 to 165 MPa while maintaining the initial electrical conductivity of cast aluminum without reinforcing particles (53.9–54.1% IACS).