MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SHOCK CONSOLIDATED 2124-AL-ALLOY COMPACTS

2124 alloy powders have been compacted using explosive compaction. The effect of process parameters like explosive pad thickness and impact energy imparted to the powders on the microstructure and hardness acro ss the cross-section of the compact have been investigated. When the t hickness of the explosive pad was increased to 9.5 mm, three distinct microstructures with different hardness values were found across the c ross-section of the compact. The size and shape of the theta phase pre cipitates were different in the fine grained structure when compared w ith that of the original particles and triple point junctions. Central porosity and pipe formation were observed when the thickness of the e xplosive pad was increased beyond 14.5 mm. Variation in the microstruc ture of the compact across the cross-section disappeared when the diam eter of the compact was increased from 11 to 25 mm.