Effect of equal-channel angular pressing and aging on corrosion behavior of ZK60 Mg alloy

Commercial ZK60 Mg alloy was processed by multi-pass equal-channel angular pressing（ECAP） and subsequent aging to investigate the effect of grain refinement and second-phase redistribution on its corrosion behavior. Electrochemical tests show that the fine-grained samples after more ECAP passes have higher corrosion current densities（Jcorr） in the polarization curves, lower charge-transfer resistance（Rt） values in the EIS plots. The severe plastic deformation decreases the alloy corrosion resistance besides the well-known strengthening and toughening. Scanning Kelvin probe（SKP） measurement shows that the anodic and cathode sites are homogeneously distributed on the surface of the fine-grained alloy, which inhibits localized corrosion. The SKP potential, having linear relationship with the corrosion potential（φcorr）, decreases with increasing the ECAP pass. Furthermore, the post-ECAP aging can slightly improve the corrosion resistance of the fine-grained ZK60 Mg alloy and enhance the comprehensive performances, due to the stress relief and uniform distribution of second-phase particles.

Microstructure and tensile properties of ultrafine grained copper processed by equal-channel angular pressing

Equal-channel angular pressing （ECAP） process was applied to a 12 mm ×12 mm ×80 mm billet of pure copper （99.98 wt.%） at room temperature. The shear deformation characteristics, microstructure evolution, and tensile properties were investigated. A combination of high strength （-420 MPa） and high elongation to failure （-25%） was achieved after eight ECAP passes at room temperature. The mixing of ultrafme grains （-0.2 μm） with nanocrystalline grains （-80 nm） resulted in high tensile strength and ductility.

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).

The precipitation behavior of MgZn_(2) and Mg_(4)Zn_(7) phase in Mg-6Zn(wt.%)alloy during equal-channel angular pressing

As-extruded Mg-6Zn(wt.%)Alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation(SPD)by the equal-channel angular pressing(ECAP)at 160 ℃.The results of tensile tests at room temperature showed that two passes ECAP resulted in a remarkable improvement of strength,yield strength from 200 to 265 MPa and ultimate tensile strength from 260 to 340 MPa.However,with the deformation increasing,the samples processed by ECAP for four or six passes had insignificant difference than that processed by two-pass ECAP.Massive precipitates were observed in all the Mg-6Zn alloys specimens processed by ECAP.Transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction results indicated that ECAP treatment induced the precipitation of laves MgZn_(2) phase and transition Mg_(4)Zn_(7) phase.The spherical MgZn_(2) particles and irregular shape Mg_(4)Zn_(7) particles coexist in the microstructure of Mg-6Zn alloy after six pass ECAP.

The Stamping Formability of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy Sheet Improved by Equal-channel Angular Pressing

Equal channel angular pressing （ECAP） processing and annealing were applied to the AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets to evaluate the potential improvement in the mechanical properties and formability. The ECAP experiment was conducted at 300 ℃ in a die having an included angle of 90o between two channels by the BCZ route with the sheets rotated by 90°about the normal axis of plate plane. The tensile tests and conical cup tests were conducted at various temperatures from 20 to 250 ℃. The experimental results indicated that improving the working temperatures could lead to the soft in the material and the enhancement of ductility. Comparatively, the ECAPed AZ31 alloy sheets showed the lower yield strength and smaller conical cup value （CCV） than the unECAPed counterpart in the room temperature. The difference in yield strength between them became small in the elevated temperature, but the ECAPed samples still had the smaller CCV value, implying the improved formability. The texture of the AZ31 alloy sheets could be modified by ECAP and the decrease in the yield strength and more uniform deformation realized in the material, so the formability of AZ31 alloy sheets was improved.

Damage prediction of 7025 aluminum alloy during equal-channel angular pressing

Equal-channel angular pressing （ECAP） is a prominent technique that imposes severe plastic deformation into materials to en- hance their mechanical properties. In this research, experimental and numerical approaches were utilized to investigate the mechanical prop- erties, strain behavior, and damage prediction of ECAPed 7025 aluminum alloy in various conditions, such as die channel angle, outer comer angle, and friction coefficient. Experimental results indicate that, after the first pass, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and hardness magnitude are improved by approximately 95%, 28%, and 48.5%, respectively, compared with the annealed state, mainly due to grain re- finement during the deformation. Finite element analysis shows that the influence of die channel angle is more important than that of outer comer angle or friction coefficient on both the strain behavior and the damage prediction. Also, surface cracks are the main cause of damage during the ECAP process for every die channel angle except for 90°; however, the cracks initiated from the neighborhood of the central re- gions are the possible cause of damage in the ECAPed sample with the die channel angle of 90°.

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.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrafine Grained Mg15Al Alloy Processed by Equal-channel Angular Pressing

An as-cast magnesium alloy with high Al content Mg15Al was subjected to equal-channel angular pressing （ECAP） through a die with an angle of φ= 90？ at 553 K following route Bc. It is found that the network β-Mg17Al12 phases in the as-cast Mg15Al alloy are broken into small blocks and dispersed uniformly with increasing numbers of pressing passes. Moreover, many nano-sized Mg17Al12 particles precipitate in the ultra-fine α-Mg matrix. The grains are obviously refined. However, the grain structure is inhomogeneous in different areas of the alloy. The average size of the primary phase α-Mg is reduced to about 1 μm while grains of around 0.1-0.2 μm are obtained in some two-phase areas. With additional ECAP passes （up to 8）, coarsening of the grains occurs by dynamic recovery. Room temperature tensile tests show that the mechanical properties of Mg15Al alloys are markedly improved after 4 ECAP passes. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure increase from 150 MPa to 269.3 MPa and from 0.05% to 7.4%, respectively. Compared with that after 4 passes, the elongation to failure of the alloy increases but the strength of the alloy slightly decreases after 8 ECAP passes. Fracture morphology of the ECAP-processed alloy exhibits dimple-like fracture characteristics while the as-cast alloy shows quasi-cleavage fractures.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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。

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.

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。

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.

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。

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.

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.