High Strain Rate Compression Testing of Hot-Pressed TRIP/TWIP-Matrix-Composites

Metal matrix composites with ceramic reinforcements such as particles or fibers have come into focus during the past decades due to rising requirements on engineering materials. In this work, composite materials out of high-alloy CrMnNi-steel matrices with varying Ni-contents (3 wt.% and 9 wt.%) and 10 vol.% Mg-PSZ were processed by hot-pressing. The variation in Ni-content resulted in a change in stacking fault energy (SFE) which significantly influenced the deformation mechanisms. The mechanical behavior of the developed composites was investigated in a wide strain rate range between 0.0004 s-1 and 2300 s-1 under compressive loading. This was done by a servohydraulic testing system, a drop weight tower, and a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar for the high strain rates. To study the influence on the deformation mechanisms such as martensitic transformations and/or twinning, interrupted tests were also carried out at 25 % compressive strain. Subsequent microstructural examinations were done by a magnetic balance to measure the quantity of α’-martensite as well as by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show an increase of strength and strain hardening with decreasing SFE of the matrix due to increased α’-martensite formation. The addition of the Mg-PSZ particles resulted in further strengthening over almost the entire deformation range for all investigated composites. At high strain rates quasi-adiabatic heating suppressed the martensite transformation and reduced the strain hardening capacity of the matrix. Nonetheless the particle reinforcement retains its strengthening effect.