Physical Μodelling as a Method to Estimate Plastic Flow Homogeneity During ECAP

Abstract

A physical model method allows the estimation of the strain inhomogeneity in a material subjected to equal channel angular pressing. Copper samples which deformed with ECAP with a standard die-set showed significant inhomogeneity. The sample section was split into two sections, which have significantly different values of accumulated strain and, as a consequence in the microstructure. Application of a die-set with a special geometry modification allows uniform strain across the sample. A comparative analysis of physical modeling results, changes of microstructure and properties showed complete correlation. Known theoretical models of the ECAP process with deformation modes close to simple shear are analyzed.

Keywords

• equal channel angular pressing
• ECAP
• inhomogeneous deformation
• copper
• microstructure
• strain hardening