A novel method for severe plastic deformation at high strain rate

Abstract

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) processing is defined as any method of forming under an extensive hydrostatic pressure that may be used to impart a very high strain to a bulk solid without any significant change in dimensions of the sample, producing exceptional grain refinement. Most of the SPD techniques employ very low processing speeds, however increased deformation rates are known to have a significant effect on the final microstructure. Most of the SPD processes operating at high rates do not impose hydrostatic pressures to the material and can therefore only be used for very ductile materials, while in others, the microstructural changes are limited to the surface layers of the material. To circumvent these restrictions a novel facility has been designed and developed where high hydrostatic pressures are maintained while a high shear deformation is imposed at high strain rates. The device combines the features of a high pressure torsion (HPT) unit with the principle of a torsional split Hopkinson bar (SHB) setup. A small ring-like sample, placed between two molds, is first subjected to a high, static pressure and subsequently to a high speed shear deformation upon release of torsional energy stored in a long bar. Although, the principle is rather straightforward, the design of the setup was extremely critical because of the high forces and energies involved. Tests have been performed on commercially pure aluminum. The material hardness increased in accordance with the microstructure and processing conditions; viz. annealed, only compressed and applied shear strain. Deformed grains departed from equiaxed shape and showed morphological texture in the direction of the shear even at very low strains indicating the presence of shear strains in the material. Further the material, or more specifically its mechanical properties and microstructure evolution is compared with conventional, statically deformed HPT samples.