from the conferences organized by TANGER Ltd.
In the last three decades, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process is used for extreme microstructural refinement of the metal materials which leads to improvement of the mechanical and physical properties. Using ECAP method significant strains can be imposed into the material. However, for practical use, homogeneous distribution of the strain is very important. Usually, ECAP processing routes are applied to distribute strain homogeneously inside processed workpiece. In this research 3D finite element simulations analysis was used to investigate the influence of four main ECAP processing routes and in total four ECAP passes on strain homogeneity distribution through workpiece volume and selected cross-sections. Simulations results after four ECAP passes indicated that strain homogeneity through whole workpiece volume was highest for route A and lowest for route C. However, at cross-section 30 mm from the workpiece back end, route C and Bc provided the highest strain homogeneity. Results indicated that route C and Bc are more adequate if only a homogeneous part of the workpiece material will be used in a possible application. However, if the aim is to use the whole workpiece material volume, route A is more appropriate. This was achieved because route A is more efficient in deformation of the workpiece back end at channel intersection which was indicated with strain inhomogeneity index for the cross-section 5mm apart from the workpiece back end.
Keywords: Finite element simulation, ECAP process, Aluminium, ECAP routes, Strain homogeneity© This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.