Microstructure evolution and wear properties of ECAP-treated Al-Zn-Mg alloy: Effect of route, temperature and number of passes

Abstract

In this study, the effect of severe plastic deformation on Al-Zn-Mg alloy was investigated by ECAP method. The ECAP process parameters were determined using Taguchi experimental design for different routes (A, B C and C), different temperatures (100, 150 and 200 °C) and different number of passes (2, 4 and 8). EBSD and TEM analysis were used for microstructural characterization of the samples and the dry sliding wear test was used to measure the mechanical strength. In the study of microstructural properties, it was determined that there was a direct relationship between the number of passes and temperature. With the increase in the number of passes and the decrease in the temperature, a severe decrease in grain size in the samples was observed. It was observed that the sample subjected to ECAP treatment with 8 passes at 100 °C in the B C route was microstructurally coaxial and had the smallest grain size, and the same sample showed the best wear properties.