Comparison of microstructures and mechanical properties of a Cu-Ag alloy processed using different severe plastic deformation modes

A Cu-8 wt.% Ag alloy was processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), dynamic plastic deformation (DPD)and high-pressure torsion (HPT) at room temperature, and the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. It is shown that the microstructures of the Cu-Ag alloy can be refined to different levels by these severe plastic deformation (SPD) modes with the smallest grains produced by HPT. The results provide a clear demonstration that the yield strength and microhardness are inter-related over a wide range of values. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.