Microstructure Characterizations and Mechanical Properties of 1050-aluminum Deformed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

Abstract

Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) is a promising severe plastic deformation technique that has gained significant attention for its ability to refine grain structure and enhance mechanical properties in metallic materials. This study focuses on investigating the impact of ECAP with route A and up to three passes on the mechanical properties and microstructure of 1050 aluminum. The study yielded compelling evidence of substantial enhancements in yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and hardness. Specifically, these properties increased from 58.19 MPa, 67.06 MPa, and 23.85 HV in the annealed state to 133.02 MPa,141.21 MPa, and 38.96 HV after the third pass of the ECAP process, respectively. Furthermore, an interesting observation was made regarding the hardness ratio, which demonstrated a noticeable decrease with an increasing number of ECAP passes. This phenomenon correlated with a reduction in the size of dimples on the fracture surface. Microstructural analysis via scanning electron microscopy SEM confirms a significant reduction in grain size after ECAP passes, indicating the effectiveness of the process in inducing microstructural refinement. These findings collectively underscore the potential of ECAP with route A in enhancing the mechanical properties and microstructure of 1050 aluminum. This research contributes valuable insights into the application of ECAP with route A as a viable strategy for improving the performance of aluminum alloys.