Abstract
Uniaxial compression tests were performed on decagonal Al73Ni10Co17 single quasicrystals at a constant strain rate of 10−5 s−1 in the temperature range between 800 and 890°C. The compression axis was chosen in three different orientations: parallel to, inclined by 45° to and perpendicular to the tenfold symmetry axis. During the deformation experiments stress relaxation tests and temperature changes were carried out to determine the strain-rate and temperature sensitivities of the flow stress. Highly anisotropic plastic behaviour is observed in both the flow stress and its strain and temperature dependences. Additionally, repeated stress relaxations were performed during the deformations, giving evidence that only minor microstructural changes take place during the relaxation tests.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr B. Grushko for support in the characterization of the decagonal quasicrystals. Furthermore, we are grateful to Professor U. Messerschmidt and Dr M. Bartsch for fruitful discussions.