Grain refinement mechanisms operative during equal channel angular pressing of aluminum

Abstract

Grain refinement of aluminum deformed by equal channel angular pressing is strongly dependent on the amount of strain. The refinement process at low to high strain level involves elongation of the existing grains by shear deformation, their subdivision into bands and subgrain formation within bands, intersection of the bands during subsequent passes and finally conversion of the subgrains to grains by continuous dynamic recrystallization process. At room temperature the conversion of subgrains to grains takes place by progressive lattice rotation. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.