Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc.

China 26(2016) 328−338

Effects of reciprocating extrusion process on

mechanical properties of AA 6061/SiC composites

Veysel ERTURUN1, M. Baki KARAMIŞ2

1. Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics/Airframes and Powerplants, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey;
2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey
Received 18 March 2015; accepted 14 October 2015

Abstract: A reciprocating extrusion (RE) process was used to improve the mechanical properties of Al-based composite
manufactured using cast and powder metallurgy (PM). AA 6063 cast and AA 6061 powders were used as the matrix materials, and
the matrix was reinforced by 5% SiC (volume fraction) particles. The hardness and grain size of extruded samples decrease with
increasing the number of extrusion pass, while the toughness and ductility increase. As the tensile strength of the samples decreases,
the elongation of the extruded samples increases. Consequently, reciprocating extrusion is an effective method for improving the
mechanical properties of metal matrix composites (MMC).
Key words: reciprocating extrusion; metal-matrix composites; aluminum alloy; mechanical properties

effect increases, that is, the distribution of particles in the

1 Introduction composite becomes more uniform [4,5]. The mechanical
properties of the composite could be increased by the RE
There are several studies about severe plastic process and the properties were better compared with the
deformation (SPD) methods. A SPD method applied at as-cast condition after the RE [6]. As the temperature
the recrystallization temperature is the most effective rises, the tensile strength is reduced. Strong and ductile
method for increasing the mechanical properties of alloys were developed using RE processing [7]. A
composites via grain refining. The studies [1] have been superior specific strength of the alloys could be achieved
conducted worldwide to improve the mechanical using RE directly from the as-cast billet. The pronounced
properties of metal matrix composites (MMC) using strengthening mechanism could be linked to the high
different SPD methods. Aluminum matrix composites volume fraction of fine-grained matrix [8].
(AMCs) have attracted considerable interest from the In another study, mixed AA 6061 and Al2O3
aerospace, defense and automotive industries because of powders were hot pressed into billets. The billets were
their light mass and high performance. deformed by 30 passes at 460 ºC through the RE process,
Several comprehensive studies have focused on and the Al2O3 particles were dispersed uniformly in the
improving the microstructure and mechanical properties matrix. The composites exhibited excellent ductility due
of AMCs via reciprocating extrusion (RE). RE is one of to the mechanical kneading process of RE [9].
the best SPD methods for improving the mechanical 2024 A1-based composites, reinforced using a
properties and eliminating the pores in the composite hybrid of SiC whiskers and SiC nanoparticles, were
structures [1−3]. fabricated using a squeeze casting route. The
The effects of RE processing on the microstructural experimental results showed that the SiC nanoparticles
and mechanical properties of the composite were were more effective in improving the hardness and
examined to aid the development of new ways to refine tensile strength of the composites than the SiC
the nonferrous alloy. The results demonstrated that RE whiskers [10].
processing was very useful for refining the nonferrous To produce Al−20%Si (mass fraction) alloys
alloy. As the number of RE pass increases, the refining with fine and uniform microstructures that have superior

Corresponding author: Veysel ERTURUN; Tel: +90-5357601712; Fax: +90-3524375744; E-mail: [email protected]
DOI: 10.1016/S1003-6326(16)64123-7
 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338 329
properties, rapidly solidified layers and cast billets were The aim of this study is to evaluate the
used as the starting materials in a RE process. The results microstructures and mechanical properties of the
showed that the interfaces between the layers of the reciprocatingly extruded AA 6063 cast and AA 6061
rapidly solidified alloys could be fully eliminated, and powder alloys reinforced by SiC particles, and to obtain
the strength and ductility were both improved as the the refined grains in Al matrix composites by the
number of RE pass increased [11,8]. application of a new severe deformation method. The
Equal-channel angular extrusion/processing (ECAE/ effects of the process parameters on the grain refining
ECAP) is one type of SPD. The research on ECAE and mechanical properties of the processed composites
processing presented an overview of the ultra fine material were investigated.
AA 6061 materials. The best process route for ultrafined
processing of bulk material was identified. Through 2 Experimental
experiment, the best grain refinement was only at
ultrafined level and the finest grain size was 0.71 µm. In 2.1 Materials and MMC preparation
addition, the relationship between the mechanical AA 6063 and AA 6061 were selected for the
properties and the number of pass was compared [12]. As extrusion billets. The 6063 Al alloy was melted in a
an alternative method, ECAP using accommodated back graphite crucible and 5% SiC (volume fraction) particles
pressure was used to reinforce the fine atomized Al with size of 20 µm were added to the melted material by
powder in an another study. The effect of ECAP on the stirring. Thus, the cast billets, either with or without SiC,
consolidation behavior of powders, and the
were obtained as extrusion billets. Additionally, 6061 Al
microstructures and mechanical properties of resulted
powder particles (72 µm in size) were mixed with 5%
compacts was presented in comparison with that of the
SiC particles with 20 µm in size (volume fraction) for
conventional direct extrusion (DE) process [13].
1 h using a shaker-mixer. The mixed composite powders
A new method of SPD for producing bulk
were cold packed at a pressure of 20 MPa as extrusion
fine-grained materials was proposed and called the
billets. These billets were then sintered at 600 °C and a
cross-channel extrusion (CCE) process [14]. The effects
pressure of 10 MPa under an argon atmosphere. All the
of the CCE process on the microstructure and
extrusion billets that were prepared using powder
mechanical properties of AA 6061 alloy were also
metallurgy (PM) and stir-cast methods have dimensions
investigated. After 8 extrusion passes at temperatures
of 29.5 mm in diameter and 42 mm in height (Fig. 1).
ranging from 200 to 300 °C, a fine-grained structure was
observed with a grain size of 0.2−4 µm. Increased The compositions of the materials are listed in Table 1.
hardnesses and tensile strengths were obtained from the
samples extruded at lower temperatures. Moreover, the
dispersion was gradually refined with increasing the
extrusion pass and resulted in increased elongation [15].
The relationship between the microstructures and the
mechanical properties of the CCE processed AA 6061
alloy caused by different heat treatments was
investigated. The results indicated that the post-CCE was
a suitable method for producing Al alloy with improved
strength [16]. Fig. 1 Illustration of billet produced using PM
The microstructures and mechanical properties of
the hot extruded Mg alloy were investigated. The results 2.2 Extrusion process
showed that the use of a rapidly solidified powder could Both the composites and the unreinforced billets
lead to effective grain refinement, which in turn resulted were reciprocatingly extruded using an extrusion press
in an improved mechanical response, especially machine that was specially designed. The RE process is
compared with that of the conventionally extruded cast shown schematically in Fig. 2. The process has a
materials. The ultimate strength, yield strength and symmetrical design comprising two containers: a die and
elongation were also obviously improved [17,18]. two punches. These parts were made of H13 steel with a

Table 1 Chemical compositions of materials (mass fraction, %)

Sample Al Cr Cu Fe Mg Mn Si Ti Zn Others
AA 6061 95.8−98.6 0.040−0.35 0.15−0.40 ≤0.70 0.80−1.20 ≤0.15 0.40−0.80 ≤0.15 ≤0.25 ≤0.15
AA 6063 98.5659 0.0069 0.0282 0.2576 0.5378 0.0173 0.5159 0 0.0299 0.0405
330 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338

Fig. 2 Schematic illustration of reciprocating extrusion: (a) Start of step 1; (b) End of step 1; (c) Start of step 2; (d) End of step 2

hardness of HRC 50 because they were affected by the Minitom low-speed diamond saw. Thin foils were
high temperature and pressure. First, a billet is placed prepared by punching as 3-mm discs and ground to
into Container A and then extruded into Container B thicknesses of ~150 µm. Next, perforation was
using Punch A. Simultaneously, a back pressure lower performed by electro polishing with an electrolyte
than the pressure of Punch A is applied by Punch B to solution of 20% nitric acid and 80% methanol at
compress the extruded material. Thus, the material fills approximately 25 °C and 15 V in a Struers-Tenupol-5
Container B and recovers its billet shape (1 pass). When double jet electro polisher. The samples were
Punch A almost reaches the die, the pressure on Punch A investigated using a JEOL 2100 transmission electron
reduces, and the pressure on Punch B increases to microscope (LaB6 filament) operated at 200 kV and
perform the reverse extrusion. In this case, Punch A is equipped with an Oxford EDS system. Images were
slowly moved backward, and Punch B compresses the taken digitally using a Gatan Model 694 Slow Scan CCD
material into Container A (2 passes). The billets are camera. A JEOL side entry single tilt goniometry was
repeatedly extruded upwards and downwards until the used. Bright field (BF) and selected area electron
required number of pass is reached. However, for the diffraction (SAED) techniques were used to investigate
final extrusion, Punch B is removed to yield an extruded the microstructure. For the digital images, Gatan Digital
rod with 10 mm in diameter. The meaning of 0 pass is Micrograph software was used.
that the billets were inserted into the container and then The Superficial Rockwell hardness values of the
extruded into a rod with a diameter of 10 mm. samples were measured by Superficial Rockwell N scale
In this study, the billets were extruded under under 15 N loads using Rockwell hardness tester with a
17.5 MPa for 0, 1, 5, 9 and 15 passes at 400 °C, for 0, 1, diamond indenter, which has an advanced LCD touch
5, 9 and 13 passes at 300 °C, and for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 screen, automatic measurement procedure, load/dwell/
passes at 200 °C. The extrusion ratios were 10:1 at 400 unload and connects with a PC or SPC network via a
and 300 °C and 4:1 at 200 °C. built-in bi-directional USB2 connector.

2.3 Microstructural analyses 2.4 Tensile tests

The morphologies of both SiC and 6061 Al alloy Tensile tests were performed on the samples
powders were investigated using optical microscopy, extruded at 400, 300 and 200 °C. After the completion of
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission the planned number of RE pass, the samples were
electron microscopy (TEM). The samples for the extruded into rods with circular cross sections for tensile
metallographic examinations were polished and etched testing. The tensile samples were obtained with
using standard procedures. The average grain size of the processing dimensions (8 mm in diameter), as shown in
extruded rods was measured using the Image-Pro Plus Fig. 3.
program.
The TEM studies were performed on Al alloy 2.5 Charpy impact tests
samples to reveal the effect of RE passes on the grain The samples were extruded at 200 and 300 °C
size of composite. The samples were cut using a Struers and the specimens with dimensions of 55 mm × 10 mm ×
 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338 331
10 mm were cut from the extruded materials. Charpy the average grain size cannot be determined in these
impact tests were performed on these machined samples samples after the RE process by SEM. However, the
that had v-notch cut across one of the faces at the middle changes in grain size values can be observed by
of a long-axis (e.g., at 50 mm). TEM [12].
The TEM images of the unreinforced and
SiC-reinforced AA6061 billet (PM) and samples
extruded using 1, 5, 9 or 13 passes at 300 °C were
obtained (Figs. 5 and 6). The grain sizes of each image
were measured using Image-Pro Plus image processing
software, and the average values of grain sizes were
Fig. 3 Dimensions of tensile test samples (unit: mm) calculated. As can be seen in the TEM images, the
average grain sizes of the unreinforced samples after 1, 5,
3 Results and discussion 9 and 13 passes of extrusion were determined to be 1.069,
1.273, 1.333 and 1.6 μm, respectively (Fig. 5). The
3.1 Microstructure of extruded samples hardness values of the same samples were determined to
Figure 4 shows the microstructures of the samples be approximately HR15 49, HR15 41, HR15 39 and HR15
and billets produced using the PM method and reinforced 33, respectively. According to this result, coarsened grain
with 5% SiC. While the matrix powder and SiC particles sizes and decreased hardness were realized using the
can be observed in the microstructure of billet produced same process parameters (i.e., at the processing
using PM, the grain boundaries in the extruded samples temperature of 300 °C and extrusion ratio of 10:1) by
by 1, 5 and 9 passes cannot be observed, except for the increasing the number of pass. Therefore, the reason for
SiC particles (Fig. 4). the decreased hardness is the grain coarsening. Thus, the
As shown in Fig. 4, after the sintering of the effect of severe plastic deformation on the average grain
powders, no porosity exists in the SiC particles, and the size is less than that of processing temperature of 300 °C.
SiC particles are homogeneously dispersed within the Considering the duration of the reversible extrusion
matrix. The distribution of SiC particles is very processing, the length of the processing time increases
uniform [11]. It is also noted that AA 6061−0.3 μm Al2O3 with increasing the number of pass, therefore, the
composites can be consolidated and fully densified from duration of the exposure at 300 °C also increases. For
powder compact by reciprocating extrusion [9]. this reason, the average grain size increases with
The grain boundaries and SiC particles can be easily increasing the annealing temperature and time. It is well
observed in the image of billet (Fig. 4(a)). However, the known that the hardness also decreases with
grain boundaries of the extruded samples cannot be increasing the grain size. Therefore, the observed
observed (Figs. 4(b)−(d)). For this reason, the change in results are as expected from the scientific point of view.

Fig. 4 Microstructures of SiC-reinforced AA 6061 samples extruded at 300 °C: (a) Billet; (b) 1 pass; (c) 5 passes; (d) 9 passes
332 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338

Fig. 5 TEM images of unreinforced AA 6061 samples (PM) extruded at 300 °C: (a) 1 pass (1.069 µm); (b) 5 passes (1.273 µm);
(c) 9 passes (1.333 µm); (d) 13 passes (1.6 µm)

Recrystallization happened during the treatment that led eliminated at high temperature. It is observed that the
to the increase of grain size and the annihilation of processing temperature plays an important role in the
working hardening effect. Therefore, the extrusion dislocation density of all samples.
treatment was carried out to form a ultra fine grain The TEM images of the 1-pass unreinforced AA
material with the formation of precipitates [16]. 6061 samples are shown in Fig. 7. There are two
The TEM images of 5% SiC-reinforced samples are different sizes of precipitate in these samples. These
shown in Fig. 6. The average grain sizes of the reinforced sizes are the first group of large particles and the second
samples extruded under the same conditions increase group of small particles, which are higher in numbers.
initially similar to the unreinforced counterparts and then The small and large precipitates are marked in the circle
decrease slightly. Because of this difference (due to a in the TEM images. It can be seen that the dislocation
reduction in the transmission of heat by the ceramic density is low in the samples.
particles in the composite), there is no an extreme The TEM images of 5-pass samples reinforced with
difference in the Al grains during the process. However, 5% SiC are shown in Fig. 8. There are also precipitated
coarsened grains are observed after 1 pass. particles with two different sizes. These are a group of
After the TEM analysis of samples extruded at large particles and a group of small particles, which are
300 °C, the following results are obtained. Despite the higher in numbers. The same result was found in the
exposure to severe plastic deformation, no sample shows images of 13-pass samples (reinforced with 5% SiC).
a very high dislocation density. This observation The small and large precipitates are marked in the circle
demonstrates that the samples were subjected to heat in the TEM images. There is a very low dislocation
treatment at high temperature during the deformation. density. The 13-pass samples reinforced with 5% SiC
The differences between the samples were ultimately also have precipitated particles with two different sizes,
 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338 333

Fig. 6 TEM images of SiC-reinforced AA 6061 samples (PM) extruded at 300 °C: (a) 1 pass (0.8996 µm); (b) 5 passes (1.3222 µm);
(c) 9 passes (1.234 µm); (d) 13 passes (1.014 µm)

Fig. 7 TEM images of 1-pass unreinforced AA 6061 samples in various places

334 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338
samples do not affect the hardening factor. It is the
precipitated particles affecting the hardness of samples
and not the density of dislocations. In addition, as
mentioned in Ref. [20], increasing the number of
extrusion pass leads to more boundaries with more
superfluous dislocations.

Fig. 9 Effect of multi-pass RE on average grain size of

AA 6061 extruded at 300 and 200 °C

The variations in the hardness values for all samples

(as-cast and powder metallurgy) extruded at 400, 300
and 200 °C are shown as a function of the number of
pass (Fig. 10). As the number of pass increases, the
hardness initially increases and then decreases for the
cast samples (Fig. 10(a)). Despite this observation, the
hardness values of the samples increase with increasing
Fig. 8 TEM images of 5-pass sample reinforced with 5% SiC
the number of pass at 200 °C. However, the hardness
values of the reinforced and unreinforced samples remain
but the dislocation densities of these sample are high constant at 400 °C and change slightly at 300 °C. It is
compared with those of 5-pass samples. DU et al [19] understood that the extrusion temperature plays an
also observed a small number of precipitates in the important role in the hardness values. The hardness
recrystallized grains and grain boundaries and a large increases within 2 passes and then decreases with the
number of dispersed precipitates in the unrecrystallized subsequent passes. Here, the effect of temperature
regions during extrusion. dominates the combined effects of the temperature and
The average grain sizes of the samples extruded at deformation degree.
300 and 200 °C are shown in Fig. 9. As the number of The changing hardness of the PM samples with
pass increases, the average grain size increases at 300 °C, increasing the number of pass is shown in Fig. 10(b). A
while it decreases at 200 °C. When the temperature of reduction in the hardness is clearly observed with
the RE decreases from 300 to 200 °C, the average grain increasing the process temperature. At 400 °C which is
size value decreases from 1.3 to 0.4 μm, so the average above the recrystallization temperature of Al, the
grain size decreases by 59%. As a result, it is understood hardness values do not change. It is observed that the
that the RE process temperature plays an important role hardness of the RE sample processed at 200 °C is higher
in the average grain size of the samples. than that of the RE sample processed at 300 °C. The
The highest hardness did not coincide with the hardness initially increases and then decreases at both
minimum average grain size (Fig. 9), the hardness was temperatures. This behavior does not reduce the hardness
the highest after 2 passes. From the TEM results, the of billets at 200 °C. The hardness values of the 9- and
2-pass samples contain precipitated particles with very 13-pass samples are less than that of the billets processed
small sizes, but the 3-pass samples do not contain them. at 300 °C.
The dislocation densities are also high in both samples. The hardness value of the 5-pass PM samples
For these reasons, the dislocation densities of the reinforced with SiC and extruded at 300 °C is lower than
 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338 335
that of the 5-pass PM samples extruded at 200 °C. The As the number of pass increases from 1 to 5, the average
hardness value of the 5-pass PM samples extruded at 300 grain size increases by approximately 20%, and the
°C does not increase at all, approximately equals that of hardness decreases by 15.5%. When the number of pass
the billets, as shown in Fig. 10(b). increases from 5 to 9, the average grain size increases by
4.7%, and the hardness decreases by 6%. As the number
of pass increases, the rate of reduction of the hardness
remains close to that of increase of the average grain
size. The average grain size was expected to decrease as
the number of pass increases. In contrast, it is found to
increase. The extrusion temperature plays an important
role in the average grain size of the reciprocating
extruded and unreinforced samples.

Fig. 11 Effect of multi-pass RE on average grain sizes and

hardness values of AA 6061 sample extruded at 300 and 200 °C

3.2 Mechanical properties of extruded samples

As shown in Fig. 12, the absorbed energy values of
Fig. 10 Effect of multi-pass RE on hardness values of as-cast the tensile samples generally increase with increasing the
samples (a), and powder metallurgy samples (b) extruded at number of pass at 300 and 200 °C. The increase of
400, 300 and 200 °C absorbed energy values after RE is related to the
microstructure of the composite and the microstructural
All samples processed at the recrystallization changes during RE. These microstructural characteristics
temperature (200 °C) experience a little hardening and were mostly eliminated during multi-pass RE. The grain
give higher hardness values than the billets (Fig. 10). refinement occurred, and then, the composite became
However, the hardness tends to decrease with increasing
the number of pass. The cast samples extruded at 200 °C
show a similar trend of hardness (Fig. 10(a)). In general,
the hardness values initially increase and then decrease
with increasing the number of pass. With an increasing
number of RE pass, the hardness values of powder
metallurgy samples drastically increase after 1 pass of
extrusion at 200 and 300 °C, caused by the work
hardening and fine-grained strengthening effects, as
shown in Fig. 10(b). The process temperature does not
affect the change in the hardness with increasing the
number of pass, which is the most influential factor in
terms of the hardness values. These results parallel a
previous study from Ref. [15].
The average grain sizes and hardness values as a Fig. 12 Effect of multi-pass RE on absorbed energy values of
function of the number of RE pass are shown in Fig. 11. AA 6061 PM samples extruded at 300 and 200 °C
336 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338
more uniform, which reduced the incompatibility 2nd pass, and continues to decrease. This tendency is
between the phases and improved the ductility and exactly the same as that of the measured ultimate tensile
absorbed energy values. The observed energy at 200 °C values. It is also noted that the variation trend of UTS
is higher than that at other temperatures (Fig. 12). with the number of ECAE pass is almost the same as the
The energy absorption characteristics of samples are hardness change [12]. The major reasons for the
similar at 300 and 200 °C. That is, the reinforced and softening effect are the deformation induced
unreinforced samples demonstrate increased tensile homogenization of the composite and the reduction in
energy absorption for up to 9 passes, and the energy the volume fraction of the hard phase due to dissolution
absorption of the reinforced samples decreases in the and breakage [20].
13th pass at 300 °C. The hardness and tensile strengths of the alloy
The ultimate tensile stress (UTS) values for all PM increase after 1 pass of RE and then decrease gradually
samples as a function of the number of pass are shown in as the number of RE pass increases. The softening effect
Fig. 13. A comparative evaluation of the ultimate tensile of the RE processing is due to the decreased amount of
stress values as a function of process temperature shows deformation. The relatively high processing temperature
that the salient point is that the ultimate tensile stress of is effective in decreasing the amount of deformation
the samples extruded at 200 °C is much higher than that during the RE process.
of the samples extruded at 300 °C. The ultimate tensile The rupture strain values of samples extruded at
stress of the samples extruded at 300 °C generally 300 °C change for up to 9 passes and for up to 4 passes
decreases, similarly, the ultimate tensile stress of samples in the samples extruded at 200 °C [4]. The unreinforced
extruded at 200 °C generally decreases after 1 pass. The samples also show the same behavior (Fig. 14). The
ultimate tensile stress values of the samples extruded at reinforced and unreinforced samples extruded at 200 °C
200 °C demonstrate a nonmonotonic change with generally experience elongation for up to 4 passes. After
increasing the number of pass, first increasing and then 4 passes, they experience a decreased elongation. During
decreasing. However, the unreinforced samples extruded the 9th to the 13th passes of the reinforced and
at 200 °C reverse at the highest values, and the unreinforced samples extruded at 300 °C, the elongation
reinforced samples extruded at 300 °C change at the is higher than that of other samples. The elongation of
minimum values. Another noteworthy point is that the the 13-pass sample is approximately 5 times that of the
ultimate tensile stress of the reinforced samples extruded 1-pass sample. The total elongation to failure of the alloy
at 200 °C after 1 pass is much higher than that of the increases dramatically with increasing the number of
unreinforced samples after 2−5 passes. This sample has extrusion pass [19,20].
the finest grain size of 0.26 µm. In another researches,
the best grain refinement was only at ultrafined level and
the finest grain size was 0.71 µm [12], the grain size of
the extruded sample was 0.2−0.5 µm [16] and a
fine-grained A356 bulk alloy with a subgrain size of
0.5−3 µm was successfully produced by cross-channel
extrusion process [14].
As mentioned before, the hardness value increases
after 1 pass of extrusion, then starts to decrease after the

Fig. 14 Effect of multi-pass RE on rupture strain values of AA

6061 PM samples extruded at 300 and 200 °C

As the extrusion temperature increases, the hardness

value decreases due to the structural coarsening and
grain growth. The RE process also increases the ductility
of the composites, as shown in Fig. 14. The composite
shows very limited ductility up to 5 passes. The total
Fig. 13 Effect of multi-pass RE on ultimate tensile stress values elongation to failure, as a measure of ductility, of the
of AA 6061 PM samples extruded at 300 and 200 °C alloy increases dramatically from the 9th to the 13th
 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338 337
passes [11]. The decrease of ductility after extrusion [3] KARAMIS M B, ERTURUN V, SARI F N. Investigation on effects
processing was observed in many extrusion processed Al of reciprocating extrusion process on microstructure of AA 6061
based composites [J]. Materials Science and Technology, 2012, 28:
alloys [12]. The heat treated sample expectably showed
1379−1384.
the highest strength, however, the elongation was [4] ZHANG Z M, XU C J, GUO X F, JIA S Z. Reciprocating extrusion
lowered [16]. of in situ Mg2Si reinforced Mg−Al based composite [J]. Acta
The cause of this behavior is the average grain size Materialia, 2008, 21: 169−177.
rather than the hardness. The average grain sizes of the [5] LEE S W, WANG H Y, CHEN Y L, YEH J W, YANG C F. An
Mg−Al−Zn alloy with very high specific strength and superior
9- and 13-pass samples at 300 °C are shown in Fig. 11.
high-strain-rate superplasticity processed by reciprocating extrusion
The composite matrices contain high porosities and large [J]. Advanced Engineering Materials, 2004, 6: 1438−1656.
voids. These microstructural features are mostly [6] GUO X F, REMENNIK S, XU C J, SHECHTMAN D. Development
eliminated during the multi-pass RE and the grain of Mg−6.0%Zn−1.0%Y−0.6%Ce−0.6%Zr magnesium alloy and its
refinement occurs. Then, the composites become more microstructural evolution during processing [J]. Materials Science
uniform, which reduces the incompatibility between the and Engineering A, 2008, 473: 266−273.
[7] GUO X F, SHECHTMAN D. Reciprocating extrusion of rapidly
phases. Thus, the ductility of the samples is improved.
solidified Mg−6Zn−1Y−0.6Ce−0.6Zr alloy [J]. Journal of Materials
Many researchers [13,19,21] reported that the strength Processing Technology, 2007, 187−188: 640−644.
and ductility can be improved by altering the grain size [8] LEE S W, CHEN Y L, WANG H Y, YANG C F, YEH J W. On
using an extrusion. The more the extrusion passes, the mechanical properties and superplasticity of Mg−15Al−1Zn alloys
better the mechanical properties [11]. The composites processed by reciprocating extrusion [J]. Materials Science and
Engineering A, 2007, 464: 76−84.
exhibit excellent ductility, probably due to the full
[9] CHU H S, LIU K S, YEH J W. Aging behavior and tensile properties
density and the uniform dispersion of particles caused by of 6061Al−0.3 μm Al2O3p particle composites produced by
mechanical kneading of RE [9]. reciprocating extrusion [J]. Scripta Materialia, 2001, 45: 541−546.
[10] GENG Lin, ZHANG Xue-nan, WANG Gui-song, ZHENG Zhen-zhu,
4 Conclusions XU Bin. Effect of aging treatment on mechanical properties of
(SiCw+SiCp)/2024A1 hybrid nanocomposites [J]. Transactions of
Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2006, 16(2): 387−391.
1) Fine-grained Al matrix composites were
[11] YEH J W, YUAN S Y, PENG C H. A reciprocating extrusion process
produced using a RE process. for producing hypereutectic Al–20wt.% Si wrought alloys [J].
2) The hardness value decreases with increasing the Materials Science and Engineering A, 1998, 252: 212−221.
extrusion temperature due to the structural coarsening [12] FU M W, THAM Y W, HNG H H, LIM K B. The grain refinement of
and grain growth. The RE processing temperature plays Al-6061 via ECAE processing: Deformation behavior, microstructure
and property [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2009, 526:
an important role in the average grain size and hardness
84−92.
value of the samples. [13] MARTIN B, FRANTISEK S, OTTO B, REQUENA G. ECAP vs.
3) The ultimate tensile stress of samples processed direct extrusion — Techniques for consolidation of ultra-fine Al
at 300 °C decreases as the number of pass increases, particles [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2009, 504: 1−7.
while the tensile strength decreases and the rupture strain [14] CHOU C Y, LEE S L, LIN J C. Effects and deformation
increases. characteristics of cross-channel extrusion process on pure Sn and
Al−7Si−0.3Mg alloy [J]. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2008, 107:
4) The composites exhibit excellent ductility due to
193−199.
the mechanical kneading in the reciprocating extrusion [15] CHOU C Y, LEE S L, LIN J C. Effects of cross-channel extrusion on
process. microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6061 aluminum
alloy [J]. Materials Science and Engineering A, 2008, 485: 461−467.
Acknowledgements [16] CHOU C Y, HSU C W, LEE S L. Effects of heat treatments on
AA6061 aluminum alloy deformed by cross-channel extrusion [J].
The authors would like to thank the Scientific and
Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2008, 202: 1−6.
Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBİTAK) [17] ELSAYED A, KONDOH K, IMAI H, UMEDA J. Microstructure and
and Erciyes University for their financial support of the mechanical properties of hot extruded Mg−Al−Mn−Ca alloy
present study under project Nos. 108M562 and produced by rapid solidification powder metallurgy [J]. Materials and
FBD-09668, respectively. Design, 2010, 31: 2444−2453.
[18] SU Gui-hua, ZHANG Liang, CHENG Li-ren, LIU Yong-bing, CAO
Zhan-yi. Microstructure and mechanical properties of
References Mg−6Al−0.3Mn−xY alloys prepared by casting and hot rolling [J].
Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2010, 20(3):
[1] LIN J B, WANG Q D, CHEN Y J, LIU M P, ROVEN H J. 383−389.
Microstructure and texture characteristics of ZK60 Mg alloy [19] DU Y Z, ZHENG M Y, XU C, QIAO X G, WU K, LIU X D, WANG
processed by cyclic extrusion and compression [J]. Transactions of G J, LV X Y. Microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast
Nonferrous Metals Society of China, 2010, 20(11): 2081−2085. and as-extruded Mg−4.50Zn−1.13Ca (wt%) alloys [J]. Materials
[2] KARAMIS M B, SARI F N, ERTURUN V. Friction and wear Science and Engineering A, 2013, 576: 6−13.
behaviors of reciprocatingly extruded Al−SiC composite [J]. Journal [20] PURCEK G, SARAY O, KARAMAN I, KUCUKOMEROGLU T.
of Materials Processing Technology, 2012, 212: 2578−2585. Effect of severe plastic deformation on tensile properties and impact
338 Veysel ERTURUN, et al/Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 26(2016) 328−338
toughness of two-phase Zn−40Al alloy [J]. Materials Science and HUANG Cen. Microstructures and mechanical properties of a hot
Engineering A, 2008, 490: 403−410. extruded Mg−4.45Zn−0.46Y−0.76Zr alloy plate [J]. Materials and
[21] JI Da-wei, LIU Chu-ming, TANG Lie-chong, WAN Ying-chun, Design, 2014, 53: 602−610.

往复挤压对 AA 6061/SiC 复合材料力学性能的影响

Veysel ERTURUN1, M. Baki KARAMIŞ2

1. Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics/Airframes and Powerplants, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey;
2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Turkey

摘 要：使用往复挤压(RE)方法改善铸造和粉末冶金(PM)法制备的铝基复合材料的力学性能。分别使用 AA 6063
铸件和 AA 6061 粉末作为基体，使用 5% SiC(体积分数)颗粒作为增强相制备复合材料。挤压样品的硬度和晶粒
尺寸随挤压道次的增加而降低，而韧性和延展性随挤压道次的增加而增加。由于挤压样品的拉伸强度降低，其伸
长率增加。因此，往复挤压是一种改善金属基复合材料(MMC)力学性能的有效方法。
关键词：往复挤压；金属基复合材料；铝合金；力学性能
(Edited by Mu-lan QIN)