Microstructure and mechanical properties of laminated Al–Cu–Mg composite fabricated by accumulative roll bonding

Abstract

In the present research, laminated Al–Cu–Mg composite was processed by the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) method. Initially, aluminium, copper and magnesium strips were alternatively stacked together. Then these stacked strips were rolled at $150^{\circ }\hbox {C}$ up to five ARB cycles. The microstructure of composites was studied by optical microscopy. Micro-hardness and tensile tests were conducted to evaluate mechanical properties of the processed composites. After the first cycle of ARB, it was observed that copper and magnesium layers were necked and fractured. With increasing ARB up to four cycles, laminated Al–Mg–Cu composite with homogeneous distribution of fragmented reinforcement in matrix was produced. It was observed that with increasing ARB up to four cycles the strength and micro-hardness of fabricated composites increased and elongation decreased at the same time. These differences in mechanical behaviour have been attributed to the microstructural aspects of the individual layers and the fragmentation processes.