Optimization of the Hot Working Conditions of A359/SiC/20p Using Processing and Stability Maps

Over the last decade the automobile industry was compelled to reduce fuel vehicle consumption and the associate emissions. Saving in fuel is now achieved by reducing the weight of cars and so light materials such as aluminium and magnesium alloys are replacing iron and steel casting and forging. Also composites in aluminium alloys reinforced with ceramic particles, mainly SiC and Al2O3, are considered candidates for the production of large mass components since they have mechanical properties such as specific strength and stiffness, temperature operating limit and wear resistance, higher than their base metal counterparts [1]. The successful forging of composites is however hindered by some technological barriers originating from their intrinsic microstructure. In fact during deformation, extensive damage at the particle-matrix interfaces such as debonding, voids and in some cases particle break occurs [2]. It follows that the high sensitivity to hot forming conditions showed by composites makes the choice of proper parameters the main concern in the manufacturing of such a class of materials.