Mechanical Properties of Sintered Al–Sn–Fe Alloys

The paper analyzes the features of plastic flow in compression in sintered Al–Sn–Fe alloys, some of which were exposed to compaction in a closed die at a pressure of 300 MPa and temperature of 250°C, and some to equal-channel angular pressing by route A (ECAP-A) at the same temperature. The analysis shows that the sintered composites comprise agglomerates of Sn-cemented Al₃Fe particles formed in place of Fe powder particles due to the interaction of Al and Fe in sintering. The agglomerates are strong but sufficiently ductile, due to Sn, to survive under deformation and to efficiently impede the propagation of strain localization bands and microcracks. In compression, such agglomerates in Al–20Sn–17Al₃Fe hold their form, moving as solid units, while the composite displays good ductility. In ECAP-A, they extend in the direction of plastic flow, and this adversely affects their ductility in further compression.