(C)ompression test of SiCw/6061Al at the temperatures around the solidus of
matrix alloy has been studied. Compression flow stress increases with incr
easing strain late according to a power law sigma = K(epsilon) over dot (m)
. At temperatures lower than the solidus of matrix, the m value is 0.32 and
the activation energy of deformation is almost the same as that of aluminu
m seif-diffusion, indicating a dislocation motion controlled by lattice dif
fusion deformation mechanism of the composite. At temperatures slightly hig
her than the solidus of the matrix, the rn value is 0.5 and the activation
energy of deformation is much higher than that of the self-diffusion of alu
minum, indicating a grain boundary and interfacial sliding deformation mech
anisms of the composite. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
.