Effects of Thermo-Mechanical Treatment on the Tensile and Compressive Properties of a Glass-Balloon-Dispersed Aluminum Alloy Composite

Abstract

A repeated thermomechanical treatment (RTMT) was adopted to control the microstructure of a glass-balloon-dispersed aluminum alloy (AC3A) composite. The RTMT, which involves the repetition of a multi-step process and followed by heat treatment, was applied to a cast plate of the composite. The composite was successfully worked into a rod or sheet by either swaging or flat rolling. The porous glass balloons were deformed or cracked so that the composite could be worked easily. The swaged material exhibited higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and elongation as compared to the cast material. The composite materials also exhibited excellent energy absorption properties.