Microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6082-T6 by ECAP under warm processing

An AA6082 alloy deformed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was studied. The evolution of microstructure as a function of the strain imparted was evaluated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) detector, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). XRD showed that MgSi2 precipitates developed in the ECAPed specimens. Texture analysis showed the apparition of two types of textures, one associated with shearing deformation and the second due to the recrystallization phenomena. Mechanical strength properties measured by tensile tests increased in the first ECAP pass, and then progressively diminished. This phenomenon was associated to the activation of continuous softening phenomena. Calorimetric analysis indicated a slightly rise in the recrystallization temperature of the deformed specimens. Also, the stored energy increased with rising ECAP passes due to the production of new dislocations. The average geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density, measured by EBSD, increased with increasing ECAP passes. However, the rate of increase slows down with the progress of ECAP passes.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Effect of loading mode on the microstructural heterogeneity of ultra-fine-grained iron

This manuscript analyzes the microstructural changes introduced by both monotonic tensile and cyclic loads in ultrafine-grained Armco iron obtained after severe plastic deformation by equal channel angular pressing. The processed material experienced different microstructural gradients depending on the type of load applied. For example, cyclic loads gave rise to grain size and misorientations gradients, while monotonic tensile loads created dislocation and grain size gradients depending on the measurement direction.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Ductility and plasticity of ferritic-pearlitic steel after severe plastic deformation

A ferritic-pearlitic steel was subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) through Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) at room temperature, obtaining strengths greater than 1 GPa. Steel constituents were identified by light microscopy displaying similar grain sizes around 14 µm for the pearlite, and 13 µm and 18 µm for the ferrite before and after heat treatment, respectively. Texture changed from a rolling type to a simple shear texture with higher intensity after 4 ECAP passes. After different severe plastic deformation magnitudes, an ultra-fine grain structure was obtained with grain sizes between 0.9 µm-0.36 µm. The substantial grain size reduction was related to heterogeneous Geometrically Necessary Dislocations (GNDs) distribution in the as-received material with pearlite showing higher GNDs densities than ferrite. The remarkable strength increase after ECAP processing was found to be dependent on both small grain sizes and high dislocation densities. On the other hand, the low ductility of the ultrafine-grained (UFG) material was associated with a high annihilation rate of mobile dislocations at deformations greater than 0.39. Additionally, excellent plasticity properties were associated with a high density of immobile dislocations as well as high GND densities inside the deformed grains.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Microstructure and strengthening mechanisms in an Al-Mg-Si alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP)

The microstructure, mechanical properties, and strengthening mechanisms of an Al-Mg-Si alloy (AA6060) subjected to severe plastic deformation using equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were investigated. Samples were passed through a die with an inner angle of F = 90° and outer arc of curvature of ¿ = 37° at room temperature up to 12 passes via route Bc. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to evaluate the microstructure and misorientation boundaries. The microstructure showed a large fraction of low-angle boundaries associated with subgrain formation in the first ECAP pass, while after eight and 12 passes, a heterogeneous ultrafine grain structure with an average grain size around 0.57 and 0.47 µm, respectively, was obtained. In order to characterize the mechanical properties, microhardness and tensile tests were carried out. Results of mechanical property tests show that microhardness, yield stress, and ultimate tensile strength increase as ECAP pass number increases up to a maximum value of 120 HV, 344 MPa, and 355 MPa, respectively, after five passes. The Hall–Petch effect, dislocation, solid solution, and precipitation strengthening were evaluated to determine the dependence of the yield stress on the ECAP pass number. The results show that the strength effect arises from the subgrain microstructure rather than from the high-angle grain boundaries developed.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Microstructure and mechanical properties of AA6082-T6 by ECAP under warm processing

An AA6082 alloy deformed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was studied. The evolution of microstructure as a function of the strain imparted was evaluated by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) detector, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). XRD showed that MgSi2 precipitates developed in the ECAPed specimens. Texture analysis showed the apparition of two types of textures, one associated with shearing deformation and the second due to the recrystallization phenomena. Mechanical strength properties measured by tensile tests increased in the first ECAP pass, and then progressively diminished. This phenomenon was associated to the activation of continuous softening phenomena. Calorimetric analysis indicated a slightly rise in the recrystallization temperature of the deformed specimens. Also, the stored energy increased with rising ECAP passes due to the production of new dislocations. The average geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density, measured by EBSD, increased with increasing ECAP passes. However, the rate of increase slows down with the progress of ECAP passes.Peer Reviewe

Microstructure and strengthening mechanisms in an Al-Mg-Si alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP)

The microstructure, mechanical properties, and strengthening mechanisms of an Al-Mg-Si alloy (AA6060) subjected to severe plastic deformation using equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) were investigated. Samples were passed through a die with an inner angle of F = 90° and outer arc of curvature of ¿ = 37° at room temperature up to 12 passes via route Bc. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to evaluate the microstructure and misorientation boundaries. The microstructure showed a large fraction of low-angle boundaries associated with subgrain formation in the first ECAP pass, while after eight and 12 passes, a heterogeneous ultrafine grain structure with an average grain size around 0.57 and 0.47 µm, respectively, was obtained. In order to characterize the mechanical properties, microhardness and tensile tests were carried out. Results of mechanical property tests show that microhardness, yield stress, and ultimate tensile strength increase as ECAP pass number increases up to a maximum value of 120 HV, 344 MPa, and 355 MPa, respectively, after five passes. The Hall–Petch effect, dislocation, solid solution, and precipitation strengthening were evaluated to determine the dependence of the yield stress on the ECAP pass number. The results show that the strength effect arises from the subgrain microstructure rather than from the high-angle grain boundaries developed.Peer Reviewe

Thermal stability of ARMCO iron processed by ECAP

The thermal stability of ARMCO iron processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) up to a true strain of 16 was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Particularly, the analysis was focused on deriving the recrystallization behavior (onset, peak, and offset temperatures) at three different heating rates (10, 20, and 40 °C/min). Additionally, the stored and activation energies were calculated. As well, the microstructure and the tensile response were evaluated at different numbers of passes before and after annealing heat treatment to assess any significant grain growth and its influence on the material ductility. The different energy contributions (dislocations, grain boundaries, and vacancies) were calculated, being verified that the main contribution came from vacancies.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Analysis of the micro and substructural evolution during severe plastic deformation of ARMCO iron and consequences in mechanical properties

ARMCO iron processed by ECAP up to a maximum equivalent strain of sixteen ECAP passes following route Bc was investigated by Electron Back Scattering Diffraction (EBSD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), TEM-EBSD and X-ray Diffraction Line Profile Analysis (XRDLPA). Different values of grain size were obtained with each technique. The lower values were obtained by XRDLPA whereas, the higher values were achieved by TEM-EBSD. Dislocation densities were also calculated by different techniques obtaining values of statistically stored and geometrically necessary dislocations as a function of the deformation. All differences in values allowed a better understanding of the nature of microstructures of the materials processed by severe plastic deformation (SPD). Mechanical properties showed a considerable increment in the material strength due to the progressive reduction of the grain size because of the Continuous Dynamic Recrystallization (CDRX) mechanism and the increment in the dislocation density.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Effect of ECAP and subsequent annealing on microstructure, texture, and microhardness of a AA6060 aluminum alloy

AA6060 aluminum alloy was subjected to severe plastic deformation through equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) up to 8 passes via route BC. ECAPed samples isochronally annealed for 1 hour at a temperature range of 150-450 °C. The microstructure and texture of the studied material were evaluated by electron backscatter diffraction, and the microhardness was characterized by Vickers microhardness testing. It was found that shearing texture is typically enhanced after ECAP processing. Grain size and grain growth kinetics were also studied. ECAP led to a substantial rise in hardness, with stability following 4 passes. Microstructures and material properties were relatively stable up to annealing temperatures of 150 °C. Some sub-micrometer grains were kept in the 8 passes sample to annealing temperatures of 300 °C. Annealing at elevated temperature resulted in a reduction in hardness leading to a rise in grain size and a decrease in dislocation density. After annealing temperature up to 450 °C, the texture index reveals a tendency to the texture weakening and randomization. The activation energy required for the grain growth of the AA6060 alloy was exceptionally low above 300 °C.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Analysis of the micro and substructural evolution during severe plastic deformation of ARMCO iron and consequences in mechanical properties

ARMCO iron processed by ECAP up to a maximum equivalent strain of sixteen ECAP passes following route Bc was investigated by Electron Back Scattering Diffraction (EBSD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), TEM-EBSD and X-ray Diffraction Line Profile Analysis (XRDLPA). Different values of grain size were obtained with each technique. The lower values were obtained by XRDLPA whereas, the higher values were achieved by TEM-EBSD. Dislocation densities were also calculated by different techniques obtaining values of statistically stored and geometrically necessary dislocations as a function of the deformation. All differences in values allowed a better understanding of the nature of microstructures of the materials processed by severe plastic deformation (SPD). Mechanical properties showed a considerable increment in the material strength due to the progressive reduction of the grain size because of the Continuous Dynamic Recrystallization (CDRX) mechanism and the increment in the dislocation density.Peer Reviewe