Enhancing Uniform, Nonuniform, and Total Failure Strain of Aluminum by Using SiC at Nanolength Scale

The present study reports a unique tensile response of pure aluminum triggered due to the presence of SiC particles at nanolength scale. Al/SiC nanocomposites were synthesized by using energy efficient microwave assisted powder metallurgy route. Characterization studies conducted on the extruded samples revealed that the increasing presence of SiC particles at nanolength scale did not affect the 0.2% yield strength but increased ultimate tensile strength and work of fracture. Most interestingly, the presence of SiC nanoparticles increased the uniform, nonuniform, and total strain of aluminum when compared with pure aluminum. An attempt has been made in this study to inter-relate the enhanced tensile response of aluminum with the ability of SiC nanoparticles to homogenize the slip process and to delay void initiation and coalescence during tensile loading.