LAUSR

Abstract The effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) on the microstructure, hardness, shear, and tensile properties of thermally-homogenized Al-xMg2Si (x = 10, 15, and 20 wt %) composites was studied. According to the microstructural characterization results, increasing ECAP passes progressively reduced the size of primary Mg2Si (Mg2SiP) and eutectic Mg2Si (Mg2SiE) particles, and improved their distribution within the matrix. These microstructural changes significantly improved the mechanical properties of the composites. For instance, after the final pass of ECAP, the shear yield strength (SYS) of composites containing 10, 15 and 20 Mg2Si increased by 89, 86 and 64%, while their tensile yield strength (TYS) increased by 174, 149 and 182%, respectively. A linear correlation between the tensile and shear strengths was also observed which is in agreement with the previous studies as well as Tresca and von Mises criteria.