Large-scale manufacturing of aluminum alloy plate extruded from subsize billet by new porthole-equal channel angular processing technique

To manufacture plate by the combination of equal channel angular processing （ECAP） and porthole die extrusion techniques, a novel technique, namely portholes-equal channel angular processing （P-ECAP）, was studied. Extrusion of AL6005A plate used for the bullet train plate was investigated by finite element method. The relevant porthole dies involving ECAP technique in channels were designed. Dimensional changes in the scrap part of the extrudate obtained after extrusion from the P-ECAP die, with different channel angles, were predicted. Effects of the channel angle and extrusion speed on the maximum temperature of the workpiece and other field variables were evaluated. At the channel angle of 160° of P-ECAP dies, the extrudate exhibited the optimal performance and the least amount of extrudate scrap was obtained. The optimal extrusion speed was 3-5 mm/s. Moreover, with the increase in ram speed from 1 to 9 mm/s, the peak extrusion load increased by about 49% and the maximum temperature was increased by about 70 ℃. The effective strain exhibited ascending trend in the comer of the ECAP deformation zone. In the solder seam and the side of die bearing of extrudate, the maximum principal stresses were tensile stress.

Microstructural approach to equal channel angular processing of commercially pure titanium——A review

A review on severe plastic deformation（SPD） technique of equal channel angular pressing（ECAP） process of commercially pure titanium（CP-Ti） alloys was presented with a major emphasize on the influence of ECAP parameters that include channel and curvature angles, processing route, temperature of operation, pressing speed, internal heating, number of pass through the die and back pressure. Various ECAP characteristics such as microstructure, strain inhomogeneity and mechanical properties are considered to achieve the maximum homogeneity, equilibrium grain refinement and mechanical improvement of CP-Ti. Investigations show that a pressing speed of 1-3 mm/s at 450 °C with route BC along with channel and curvature angles of 90° and 20° respectively with backpressure can lead to the most homogeneous ultrafine microstructure.

A new method of characterizing equivalent strain for equal channel angular processing

In order to establish the quantitative relationship between equivalent strain and the performance index of the deformed material within the range of certain passes for equal channel angular processing （ECAP）, a new approach to characterize the equivalent strain was proposed. The results show that there exists better accordance between mechanical property （such as hardness or strength） and equivalent strain after rolling and ECAP in a certain range of deformation amount, and Gauss equation can be satisfied among the equivalent strain and the mechanical properties for ECAP. Through regression analysis on the data of hardness and strength after the deformation, a more generalized expression of equivalent strain for ECAP is proposed as：ε=k0exp[-（k1M-k2）^2], where M is the strength or hardness of the material, k1 is the modified coefficient （k1∈ （0, 1））, ko and k2 are two parameters dependent on the critical strain and mechanical property that reaches saturation state for the material, respectively. In this expression the equivalent strain for ECAP is characterized novelly through the mechanical parameter relating to material property rather than the classical geometry equation.

Equal-Channel Angular Pressing as a New Processing to Control the Microstructure and Texture of Metallic Sheets

The extended band structures of as-cold-rolled high Cr steel sheets are recrystallisation-resistant, and tend to become aggregates of the so-called grain colonies as a partially recovered state after final annealing. Such band structures diminish formability and become origin of the so-called ridging. A novel processing will be shown here, which involves strain-path change by introducing one-pass ECAP prior to cold-rolling, and facilitates recrystallisation. Indeed, the recrystallisation temperature was reduced by 100℃, compared with cold-rolling alone imposing an equivalent strain. Grain- scale microshear bands introduced during one-pass ECAP perturbed the banded structures in post-ECAP cold-rolling and enhanced the recrystallisation at the final annealing.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

Microstructure evolution and texture development and their effects on mechanical properties of a Mg-Gd-Y-Zr alloy during equal channel angular pressing（ECAP） were investigated.It is found that the microstructure is still inhomogeneous after four passes,and two zones,namely the fine grain zone（FGZ） and the coarse grain zone（CGZ） are formed.The grain refinement occurs mainly by particle-stimulated nucleation（PSN） mechanism,which led to a more random texture after four passes of ECAP.In the ECAP-processed alloy,the strength did not increase while the ductility was enhanced dramatically compared with the as-received condition.The change of ductility of this alloy was discussed in terms of texture and second phase particles.

Microstructure evolution of processed Mg-Al-Zn alloy by equal channel angular extrusion in semi-solid isothermal treatment

Microstructure evolution of processed Mg-Al-Zn alloy by equal channel angularextrusion(ECAE) in semi-solid isothermal treatment was investigated. The results show that withincreasing semi-solid isothermal treatment temperature, the a phase solid grain size of processedMg-Al-Zn alloy by ECAE increases firstly due to coarsening of a phase solid grains, then decreasesdue to melting of a phase solid grains. With the increase of extrusion passes during ECAE, the aphase solid grain size in the following semi-solid isothermal treatment decreases. The a phase solidgrain size of processed Mg-Al-Zn alloy by ECAE under route B_C is the smallest, while the a phasesolid grain size of processed material by ECAE under route A is the largest. The primary mechanismof spheroid formation depends on the melting of recrystallizing boundaries and diffusion of soluteatoms in the semi-solid state.

The effect of Equal Channel Angular Pressing process on the microstructure of AZ31 Mg alloy strip shaped specimens

Equal Channel Angular Pressing(ECAP)is one of the most applicable Sever Plastic Deformation(SPD)processes which leads to strength and ductility improvement through the grain refining and development of a suitable texture.In this study,after designing and manufacturing a suitable die,4 pass ECAP process at route C is done on strip shaped specimens of AZ31 magnesium alloy in order to achieve desirable microstructural and mechanical properties.Microstructure then got studied through the optical microscopy.Results show that mean grain size is decreased and grain size distribution got close to normal distribution state by increasing the pass number.However,the grain size is reduced by increasing of ECAP temperature.

Mechanical responses, texture and microstructural evolution of high purity aluminum deformed by equal channel angular pressing

Ultrafine-grained(UFG) high purity aluminum exhibits a variety of attractive mechanical properties and special deformation behavior. Equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) process can be used to easily and effectively refine metals. The microstructure and microtexture evolutions and grain boundary characteristics of the high purity aluminum(99.998%) processed by ECAP at room temperature are investigated by means of TEM and EBSD. The results indicate that the shear deformation resistance increases with repeated EACP passes, and equiaxed grains with an average size of 0.9 μm in diameter are formed after five passes. Although the orientations distribution of grains tends to evolve toward random orientations, and microtextures(80°, 35°, 0°),(40°, 75°, 45°) and(0°, 85°, 45°) peak in the sample after five passes. The grain boundaries in UFG aluminum are high-angle geometrically necessary boundaries. It is suggested that the continuous dynamic recrystallization is responsible for the formation of ultrafine grains in high purity aluminum. Microstructure evolution in the high purity aluminum during ECAP is proposed.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical behavior of AZ31 Mg alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing

AZ31 Mg alloy bar was subjected to 8-pass equal-channel angular pressing(ECAP) at 623 K. Microstructure evolution was observed by optical microscopy(OM) on cross section and X-ray diffraction analysis. The room temperature mechanical properties of the ECAP processed specimens were also investigated. A fine-grained structure with an average sub-grain size of 9 μm is obtained after 7 ECAP passes. XRD analysis indicates that after ECAP,in placing of {1 010},planes {1 011} and {1 012} become the dominant directions that are favourable for grain refinement. ECAP processed AZ31 Mg alloy exhibits significant improvement in elongation but decrease in strength. The elongation of the specimen increases continuously up to 2 passes and then remains stable at further passes. This improvement can be related to the evolution of crystallographic texture and the scattered orientation of the basal plane(0001).

DSC analysis of commercial Cu-Cr-Zr alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing

Samples of a commercial Cu-lCr-0.1Zr(mass fraction,%) alloy were subjected to equal channel angular pressing(ECAP) up to 16 passes at room temperature following route Bc.Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) was used to highlight the precipitation sequence and to calculate the stored energy,recrystallization temperature and activation energy after each ECAP pass.On another hand,electrical properties were correlated with the dislocation density.Results show that the stored energy increases upon increasing ECAP pass numbers,while the recrystallization temperature decreases significantly.

Observation of macroscopic shear band in aluminum-based alloy during equal-channel angular pressing

Equal-channel angular pressing(ECAP) is now recognized as an effective technique for fabricating ultrafine grained materials. The results show that prevalent macroscopic shear banding occurs in ECAP as long as the pressing passes reach 2, and the severe macroscopic shear band extends from bottom to top surface and slants to the longitudinal axis of specimen at an angle of about 45°, develops at regular intervals, with a high shear strain accommodation of about 3.7 within the band. Different families of macroscopic shear bands may cut across each other, and over 60% of sample volume is occupied by macroscopic shear band when the ECAP reaches 4 passes.

Finite Element Analysis for Multi-pass Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） is an attractive process method to produce bulk uhra-fine grained materials. There are many experiment evidences showing that the nature of the microstructural evolution in multi-pass ECAP depends on process routes. Isothermal three dimensional FEM simulations for muhi-pass ECAP were performed using DEFORM3D finite element code. The material model of 6061A1-T6 was employed. Flow nets, effective strain distribution in the workpiece and loads during multi-pass ECAP using different routes were analysed respectively, The simulations show process routes influence material flow and effective strain distri- bution in the workpiece obviously but have few influence on loads.

On the cold rolling of AZ31 Mg alloy after Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Among the various Severe Plastic Deformation(SPD)processes,Equal Channel Angular Pressing(ECAP)is one of the most applicable one which improves strength and ductility due to grain refinement and suitable texture development.In this study,cold rolling were carried out on the 4 pass ECAPed(in route A and C)strip shaped specimens of AZ31 magnesium alloy to investigate the ECAP effects on the roll-ability.Results showed that reduction in area which can be concerned as an index for roll-ability increased after ECAP.It was also seen that ECAP in route C enhanced roll-ability more than route A.

Deformation mechanism at impact test of Al-11% Si alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing with rotary die

Al-11%Si(mass fraction)alloy was transformed into a ductile material by equal-channel angular pressing(ECAP)with a rotary die.Two mechanisms at impact test,slip deformation by dislocation motion and grain boundary sliding,were discussed.The ultrafine grains with modified grain boundaries and the high content of fine particles(<1μm)were necessary for attaining high absorbed energy.The results contradict the condition of slip deformation by dislocation motion and coincide with that of grain boundary sliding.Many fine zigzag lines like a mosaic were observed on the side surface of the tested specimens.These observed lines may show grain boundaries appeared by the sliding of grains.

Microstructural evolution of a recycled aluminum alloy deformed by equal channel angular pressing process

The microstructural evolution of a recycled aluminum alloy after equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） up to four passes was investigated using X-ray diffxaction （XRD） analysis and transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. Microhardness tests were performed to determine the associated changes in mechanical properties. An ultrafine-grained material has been obtained with a microstructure showing a mixture of highly strained crystallites. A high density of dislocations was achieved as a result of severe plastic deformation （SPD） through the die. Changes in mechanical behavior are also revealed after ECAP due to strain hardening. Thermal analysis and TEM micrographs ob- tained after annealing indicate the succession of the recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth phenomena. Moreover, the energy stored during ECAP may be related to the dislocation density introduced by SPD. We finally emphasize the role played by the precipitates in this alloy.

Exposure of Equal-Channel Angular Extruded Tungsten to Deuterium Plasma

Surface morphology and deuterium retention in ultrafine-grained tungsten fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing（ECAP） have been examined after exposure to a low energy,high-flux deuterium（D） plasma at fluences of 3×10^24 D/m^2 and 1×10^25 D/m^2 in a temperature range of 100 ℃-150 ℃.The methods used were scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and thermal desorption spectroscopy（TDS）.Sparse and small blisters（0.1 μm） were observed by SEM after D plasma irradiation on every irradiated surface;yet they did not exhibit significant structure or plasma fluence dependence.Larger blisters or protrusions appeared after subsequent TDS heating up to 1000 ℃.The TDS results showed a single D desorption peak at 220℃ for all samples and the D retention increased with increasing numbers of extrusion passes,i.e.,the decrease of grain sizes.The increased D retention in this low temperature range should be attributed to the faster diffusion of D along the larger volume fraction of grain boundaries introduced by ECAP.

Microstructural Development of Fe-20mass%Cr Alloys and Pure Copper Processed by Equal-Channel Angular Pressing

Microstructural development of ultra low C, N, Fe-Cr alloy and pure copper processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) have been examined focusing on the initial stage of the formation of ultrafine grain structure. Fe-Cr alloys were pressed at 423 K while pure copper at room temperature for 1 to 3 passes via the route Bc to compare at the equivalent homologous temperature. Microstructural evolutions were characterized by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) image and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that deformation structures were mostly deformation-induced subboundaries in both the materials after one pass, but the fraction of high-angle grain boundary became higher in the Fe-Cr alloys than in pure copper in subsequent passes by increasing misorientation of the boundaries. The more enhanced formation of high angle boundaries in Fe-Cr alloys was discussed in terms of the nature of crystal slip of FCC and BCC structures.

AZ31镁合金和7050铝合金ECAP过程的数值模拟研究

利用Abaqus有限元软件分别对AZ31镁合金和7050铝合金进行等通道转角挤压(ECAP)数值模拟研究。利用有限元(FE)模拟得到应力场、应变场及载荷-位移曲线,分析了在不同挤压温度、挤压速度、摩擦条件和不同截面下等通道转角挤压的变形规律。结果表明,挤压温度升高可以降低挤压载荷,这有利于AZ31镁合金挤压,在摩擦较小情况下进行变形有利于降低挤压载荷,提高变形均匀性;在不考虑变形过程中温升效应的情况下,挤压速度对挤压载荷影响较小,当挤压速度提高时,最大等效应变值有所提高;圆形截面比方形截面更适合进行等通道转角挤压。

LPSO相调控对ECAP挤压Mg-Y-Zn-Al合金组织和力学性能的影响

针对含18R-LPSO相铸态Mg-Y-Zn系合金塑韧性差、变形后力学性能提高有限的问题,研究了固溶、铸态+ECAP挤压和固溶+ECAP对Mg-3.74Y-1Zn-0.5Al(at%)合金力学性能的影响。结果表明,固溶处理诱发18R→14H-LPSO相转变、Al(Y,Zn)相化合物颗粒破碎细化,改善了合金的塑性,但强度几乎不变。铸态+ECAP挤压导致18R-LPSO和Al(Y,Zn)相破碎,并诱发大量α-Mg晶粒发生再结晶。固溶+ECAP挤压使14H-LPSO相弯曲或扭折变形、细小Al(Y,Zn)颗粒均匀分散,仅少数α-Mg晶粒发生再结晶,其强度、塑韧性远高于铸态+ECAP挤压合金的。良好强度、塑韧性匹配的14H-LPSO相的大量形成、α-Mg基体再结晶被抑制及细小Al(Y,Zn)颗粒的均匀分散是其性能提高的主要原因。

ECAP对预置孪晶AZ31镁合金组织和力学性能的影响

为了探究剪切变形对预置孪晶AZ31镁合金组织和力学性能的影响,对应变量为5%的预置孪晶试样在250℃进行了不同道次的等通道转角挤压(ECAP),随后对不同状态试样进行了显微组织观察和室温单轴拉伸测试。结果表明:预置孪晶试样经过ECAP变形后,试样组织与商用挤压态合金相比明显细化,延展性获得较大提高;且随着挤压道次的增加,合金晶粒更加细小均匀,延展性改善更加显著。其中,挤压四道次合金的室温断后伸长率较挤压态棒材提高了约163%,表明预置孪晶后引入剪切变形能有效提高镁合金棒材的室温塑性。