Microstructure evolution of Al-matrix composites during semi-solid compressive deformation revealed by synchrotron in situ CT study

In situ fast synchrotron computed tomography was used to investigate the semi-solid compression of nanoparticle-reinforced Al-10%(mass fraction) Cu composites. The three-dimensional images were used to quantitatively analyze the evolution of microstructure especially the micropores during semi-solid deformation process. The results show that the evolution of voids in nanoparticle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites during semi-solid compression has three main stages, namely the micropore closure stage, incubation stage and rapid growth stage. With the analysis of quantitative data and microstructure observation of void distribution in different deformation stages, semi-solid compressive deformation mechanism of aluminum matrix composites is further analyzed.The four-dimensional (three-dimension+time) study of Al-based composites under load using in situ synchrotron imaging technology provides a reference for exploring the semi-solid deformation behavior of aluminum matrix composites.