Abstract
An investigation was carried out on the workability of helical tungsten fiber reinforced Zn-22wt%Al alloy matrix composites prepared by squeeze casting technique. These composites, reinforced with fibers with different helical angles, were hot-rolled along the fiber axis to re-ductions in thickness of 50, 75, and 87.5%. Fiber deformation in the matrix, tensile strength of the hot-rolled composites, and appearance of fracture surface of the tensile specimens were discussed in relation to helical angle of the fibers or to reduction in thickness of the composites. The results indicate that the employment of helical fibers as reinforcement enables the composites being hot rolled. Workability of the composites was markedly influenced by both helical angle of the fibers and reduction in thickness by hot rolling. With the same reduction in thickness, smaller helical angle was desirable for reducing damages to the fibers, whereas with the same helical angle, tensile strength of the hot-rolled composite varies with amount of reduction of the composites. These results can be explained in terms of the differences in deformability of the helical tungsten fibers in the matrix and fracture probability of the fibers during rolling.
