DEFORMATION BEHAVIOR AND DUCTILITY OF _P/6061Al(Solid Mechanics Research Institute, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing 100083,China)

To better understand the mechanisms of poor ductility of particulate reinforced Al-matrix composites, tensile deformation at room and liquid nitrogen temperature and notched-specimen bending at room temperature were conducted for (Al₂O₃)_P/6061Al. Deformation and fracture process of the composite was characterized by the following successive events: localized deformation of the matrix, cracking of larger reinforcement particles within the deformation bands, and failure along the localized deformation bands through interaction of further localized straining and promoted cracking. No essential effect of deformation mode, deformation temperature and material condition on the above characteristics was identified. Taking into account the limited beneficial effects of cryogenic temperature and cryogenic treatment on ductility, factors influencing and the potential of improving ductility of particulate reinforced Al-matrix composites were discussed.