Finite Element Simulation of Twist Extrusion on ECAPed Al6061 Specimen

Abstract

Recently, the application of Severe Plastic Deformations (SPD) processes to produce Ultra‐Fine Grained materials with improved mechanical properties are gaining prominence. A number of researchers are working on Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) and Twist Extrusion (TE) independently. In this work an effort is made to study a hybrid TE process where the Al6061 specimen is subjected to ECAP and subsequently TE in the same die setup. Finite Element (FE) modeling of the above hybrid process is attempted in FORGE 2007 environment. The simulation results clearly depict the change in equivalent strain in the entire specimen on account of this process. A comparison is made between FE results of one pass obtained using ECAP, TE and hybrid TE. Also the variation of strain with change in friction conditions and channel angle are studied using current FE model. The hybrid TE opens up new possibilities for investigating and forming UFG materials.