An Investigation of Microstructure and Grain-Boundary Evolution During ECA Pressing of Pure Aluminum
Abstract
High-purity aluminum (99.99 pct) was processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature through a die with a 90 deg angle between the die channels. Samples were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) methods after one, four, and 12 passes through the die. Repetitively pressed samples were rotated by 90 deg in the same sense between successive pressing operations (route Bc). After one pressing, TEM showed a subgrain structure which was elongated in the shearing direction. Corresponding OIM data illustrated an inhomogeneous microstructure in which bandlike features were also aligned with the shearing direction. The lattice orientation varied from location to location in the material. The boundary disorientation distribution determined from the OIM data exhibited a peak at 2 to 5 deg, in agreement with a predominance of subgrains in the microstructure. After four pressings, the microstructure data obtained by TEM and OIM were mutually consistent. The disorientation data revealed a decrease in the population of 2 to 5 deg boundaries accompanied by an overall upward shift in the distribution. Two orientations were generally apparent in the texture, although specific orientations varied with location. Often, a (111) orientation tended to align with the shear direction. Following 12 ECA passes, the grain size was reduced further to about 1.0 mum. The populations of high-angle boundaries (greater than l5 deg) increased in the disorientation distribution. A texture characteristic of shear deformation of fcc metals became apparent, although the orientations and particular components varied with location. Microstructural refinement during severe straining includes the development of large fractions of high-angle boundaries.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 06, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA426051
Entities
People
- D. L. Swisher
- K. Oh-ishi
- S. D. Terhune
- T. G. Langdon
- Z. Horita
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School