Rate-dependent strength and deformation heterogeneity of B4C-reinforced Al composite: time-resolved imaging with synchrotron X-rays

Abstract Dynamic (up to 5500 s−1) and quasi-static compression tests are conducted on a 15 wt% B4C particle-reinforced Al (B4C/Al) composite. In situ, high-speed synchrotron X-ray phase contrast imaging and digital image correlation are employed to map mesoscale deformation fields at μm and μs scales. The bulk stress–strain curves show significant strain and strain-rate hardening under dynamic compression. The strain-rate sensitivity exponent is an order of magnitude higher at high strain rates ( > 10 3 s−1) than that at low strain rates ( 10 − 2 s−1). Strain field mapping demonstrates distinct compressive strain localizations for both quasi-static and dynamic loading. Nevertheless, compressive strain localizations appear denser in spacing under dynamic loading, owing to spontaneous dislocation nucleation in both weak and strong zones. This results in a higher density of geometrically necessary dislocations, which contributes to the higher strain and strain-rate hardening of B4C/Al under dynamic loading. The ratio of the maximum local strain to the bulk average is ~ 1.5, and the local strain-rate enhancement cannot explain the increased rate sensitivity of B4C/Al under dynamic loading. Therefore, the rate-dependent deformation heterogeneity dominates the strain-rate hardening of B4C/Al. Postmortem analyses help correlate deformation features to particle- and grain-scale microstructures, yielding consistent results with mesoscale strain fields.