Texture and microstructure evolution of A390 aluminum alloy during ECAP

Abstract

The current work focused on the effect of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) process on microstructure and texture evolution of A390 aluminum alloy. The alloy successfully processed up to four ECAP passes in route A at 400 °C. The ECAP die, has a circular cross-section channel with a diameter of 12 mm, an inner corner angle, ϕ, of 110° and an outer corner angle, Ψ, of 70°. The microstructural observation and macro-texture from ED–TD plane characterized by optical microscopy (OM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructural observation revealed the extensive grain refinement of the aluminum matrix and second phase particles fragmentation were obtained after the first two ECAP passes. In addition, the particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) mechanism activated during the first pass. The variations of fiber textures such as C, A, B and A*1Ѳ and ideal simple shear textures such as {111}〈110〉, {112}〈110〉, {100}〈110〉, and {111}〈112〉 components were evaluated in both sides of samples. The results showed that the ECAP process developed the {001}〈310〉 component and weakened the {100}〈001〉 and {011}〈100〉 components. Three new components including {113}〈121〉, {021}〈112〉, and {221}〈012〉 created during ECAP process.