Hot deformation behaviour and processing maps of AA6061-10 vol.% SiC composite prepared by spark plasma sintering

AA6061-10 vol.% SiC composite was successfully prepared by spark plasma sintering. The deformation behaviour of this composite was studied using the uniaxial compression test, which was conducted at temperatures between 300 and 500°C and strain rates between 0.001 and 1 s^?1. Results indicate that the stress-strain curves of the AA6061-10 vol.% SiC composite typically feature dynamic recrystallization. The steady stress can be described by a hyperbolic sine constitutive equation, and the activation energy of the composite is 230.88 kJ/mol. The processing map was established according to the dynamic materials model. The optimum hot deformation temperature is 450–500°C and the strain rate is 1–0.1 s^?1. The instability zones of flow behaviour can also be identified using the processing map.