Mechanical Properties of AI6061 processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing

The severe plastic deformation (SPD) is an effective approach for producing bulk nanostructured materials. The Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) is the most efficient SPD solution for achieving ultra-fmed grained (UFG) material as billet undergoes severe and large deformation. The process parameters of ECAP (Channel Angle, angle of curvature, friction, number of passes, etc) influences major impact on the properties. In present work, the ECAP process is performed by pressing a specimen through a die consisting of two intersecting channels meeting at an angle phi and outer comer meeting at an angle psi. Experiments with a circular specimen of A16061 were conducted to investigate the changes in mechanical properties upto 2 passes. 3-D finite element simulations were also performed using metal forming software FORGE to study the evolution of strain in the specimen during the ECAP process. Simulation results were investigated by comparing them with experimental measured data in terms of load variations. The present work clearly shows that ECAP caused accentuated increase in A16061 hardness and tensile strength during multi-pass processing. This study is beneficial in developing high quality, high strength products in manufacturing industry on account of its ability to change microstructure of materials.