Severe Plastic Deformation Techniques Research Articles

Texture study of an AA5083 processed by Repetitive Corrugation and strengthening

5xxx series aluminum alloys are widely used due to their corrosion resistance and weldability. These alloys exhibit interesting behavior when subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD). Different SPD techniques allow the processing of materials in sheet forms, such as Repetitive Corrugating and Straightening (RCS) and Cumulative Roll Bonding (ARB). In this work, sheets of the aluminum 5083 alloy were processed by RCS up to 2 passes. The objective was to study the microstructural evolution of the AA5083 under heat treatment and plastic deformation processes, with the aim of finding a good balance between the yield strength and ductility. The microstructure changes and the mechanical effects of the process were studied by X-ray diffraction, Inverse Pole Figures, EBSD, and tensile test. The results showed the obtention of characteristic recrystallization and deformation textures (cube and brass component); in particular, the brass component decreased to ∼10 % due to the RCS process. The first RCS pass obtained the best balance between yield strength-ductility (σy = 170 MPa and maximum elongation ∼ 8%). With the results obtained, it was concluded that the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the processes alloy were determined by the accumulative dislocations density, which stopped the cube texture progression, microstructure stabilizing the microstructure, regardless of the work hardening.

Excellent strength-ductility synergy of Cu-Al alloy with a gradient nanograined-nanotwinned surface layer

Gradient nanostructured (GNS) metallic materials have shown significant potential in achieving excellent mechanical properties. However, the underlying strengthening mechanisms resulting from plastically inhomogeneous deformation in GNS materials, particularly those involving nanotwinned structures, remain inadequately understood. In this study, a gradient nanograined-nanotwinned (GNNT) surface layer was generated on a Cu-Al alloy using the severe plastic deformation technique known as single-point diamond turning. Uniaxial tensile and localized micropillar compression tests were conducted to compare the mechanical properties of GNNT samples with conventional gradient nanograined (GNG) and uniform coarse-grained (CG) Cu/Cu-Al counterparts. The results revealed that the GNNT samples exhibit excellent strength-ductility synergy, with a yield strength of approximately 329 MPa, tensile strength of around 477 MPa, and uniform ductility of about 48 %, thereby demonstrating remarkable strain hardening capacity and mechanical stability. These characteristics are further supported by the observed strong back stress effect, well-preserved mobile dislocation density, and effective suppression of grain coarsening in the GNNT surface layer. In contrast to the evident mechanically induced grain coarsening through grain boundary (GB) migration in the GNG surface layer, grain coarsening through twin boundary (TB) migration in GNNT surface layers is effectively inhibited by Lomer-Cottrell (L-C) locks formed by TB-stacking fault and TB-TB intersections, resulting in significantly enhanced structural stability. Furthermore, the L-C locks also extensively contribute to the high density of mobile dislocations observed in the GNNT samples. These findings provide valuable insights into the optimization of GNS structures for achieving excellent strength-ductility synergy in metallic materials.

Constrained groove uniform pressing process for achieving homogeneously improved properties in copper

Constrained groove pressing (CGP) is a popular method to produce an ultrafine-grained microstructure and thus enhanced mechanical properties in the metal sheet. CGP is a severe plastic deformation technique that simultaneously presses the metal sheet with flat and grooved dies to subject it to large shear strain without changing the dimensions. The inherent inhomogeneity of the processed sheet may be a drawback of the CGP process. According to published research, this is caused by the sharp edges of the grooved dies responsible for additional bending strain along with shear strain. Moreover, even if the grooves are made circular, it can impart constant bending strain, but the shear strain varies. In this research, a new die has been designed to impart constant combined bending and shear strain in the metal sheet using constrained groove uniform pressing. Hence, the process is changed as the number of presses required for 1 pass are changed and named constrained groove unform pressing. C101 was used as the material for the new process. Properties of the copper sheet observed to be improved homogeneously as it was processed through the new die and process. The uniformity of the imposed strain was verified by theoretical, experimental, and simulation results.

Experimental research on mechanical, material, and metallurgical properties of Inconel 600: Application in elevated temperature environment

Experimental research on mechanical, material, and metallurgical properties of Inconel 600: Application in elevated temperature environment

Deformation mechanism and hardening behavior of gradient heterostructured magnesium alloys prepared by severe shear deformation

Lightweight equipment in aerospace and other fields urgently requires magnesium (Mg) alloys components with high-strength plasticity. For this reason, in this study, a gradient heterogeneous structure containing nanocrystallines was constructed successfully using a severe shear deformation process that combines severe plastic deformation techniques and torsional deformation characteristics. The evolution of the microstructure and hardness of Mg-12.12Gd-4.2Y-2.28Zn-0.36Zr (wt%) alloys prepared by severe shear deformation with changes in deformation temperature were investigated. The gradient heterogeneous structure of the alloys formed naturally under high hydrostatic pressure and severe shear stress, and its thickness increased with the deformation temperature. With the application of shear stress, a large amount of rotational dynamic recrystallization (RDRX) behavior occurs in the alloys, refining the coarse initial grains (∼126.3 µm) into fine grains (∼2.03 µm) or even ultrafine grains (∼1 µm). During the RDRX process, low angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) began to form at high distorted grain boundaries and unique lamellar structures, followed by a rapid expansion into the interior of the grains, which ultimately results in the grains being completely covered by subgrains. Meanwhile, the continuously broken long-period stacking-ordered (LPSO) phase and the precipitated bright rare earth rich (RE-rich) phase provide a large number of nucleation sites, further promoting the refinement process of the grains. Subsequently, the grains were further refined to nanocrystallines through the formation and rotation of subgrains under continuous loading of stress. The massive formation of nano-precipitated phases (β phases) along grain boundaries were accompanied by the complete disappearance of other types of second phases. The sources of β phases formation include the layer-by-layer decomposition of the cellular phases and the dissolution/re-precipitation of the LPSO phases. In addition, the introduction of shear stress promotes the random orientation of the DRXed grains through the extensive activation of pyramidal <a> and pyramidal <c+a> slip. The hardness of the alloys gradually decreased as the cumulative strain decreased at different deformation temperature conditions. When the deformation temperature was 440°C, the alloys reached a maximum hardness of 127.67 HV, which was nearly 43.5% higher than homogenized alloys. The ultra-high hardness of the alloys prepared by severe shear deformation is mainly attributed to grain boundary hardening, diffusion hardening and hetero-deformation induced (HDI) hardening.

Nanostructuring of Ferritic Steel: A Review on Enhanced Surface Properties Using Ultrasonic Shot Peening

Nanostructuring of ferritic stainless steel refers to the process of intentionally reducing the grain size of the material at the nanoscale level. By manipulating the microstructure of the steel, it is possible to enhance its mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. Nanostructuring can significantly improve the strength, hardness, and wear resistance of ferritic stainless steel, while still maintaining its corrosion resistance. The increased density of grain boundaries and the complex dislocation network within the nanostructured material contribute to these improved properties. Moreover, the nanostructured ferritic stainless steel exhibits enhanced thermal stability, leading to better high-temperature performance and resistance to creep deformation. The small grain size also allows for increased precipitation of secondary phases, such as carbides, nitrides, or intermetallic compounds, which can further improve the material's properties. There are several methods to achieve nanostructuring in ferritic stainless steel, such as severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques like high-pressure torsion, equal channel angular pressing, and accumulative roll bonding. These techniques impose extreme plastic deformation on the material. Leading to grain refinement below the micrometre range. Also, a novel method of surface nanostructuring ultrasonic shot peening (USP) is discussed in detail. Shot peening is a process in which small, spherical media, typically made of steel or ceramic, called "shots," are propelled onto the surface of a material at high velocities. Ultrasonic shot peening enhances the traditional shot peening process by introducing high-frequency vibrations to the shots. These vibrations are generated by an ultrasonic transducer, which is immersed in a bath of shots and liquid. The vibrations are transmitted through the liquid to the shots, causing them to collide with the surface of the ferritic steel at even higher velocities and energy levels than in traditional shot peening. In summary, nanostructuring of ferritic stainless steel offers great potential for tailoring the material's properties to meet specific application requirements, including improved strength, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature performance. USP is an effective surface treatment method for ferritic steel, offering advantages in terms of fatigue life, stress corrosion cracking resistance, surface hardness, and wear resistance.

Effect of microstructural and texture evolution of ECAP-processed Mg-Zn-Zr alloy on the corrosion and wear behaviours for bone repair applications

Mg-Zn-Zr alloys show great potential for replacing the currently used materials in biodegradable applications. They exhibit similar mechanical properties to that of human bones, while possessing favorable biodegradable properties that can be engineered to allow the complete, safe degradation of the alloy in the human body around the time the bones fully heal, without the need for a removal surgery. Literature confirms that grain refinement through processing via severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques enhances both corrosion and wear behavior of Mg alloys; thus, in this study Mg-3Zn-0.6 Zr (ZK30) billets were ECAP-processed for up to 4-passes of route Bc to investigate their wear and corrosion behaviors improvement in relation to their microstructural and texture evolutions. Electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to study microstructural and texture evolution of the billets, their electrochemical behavior was investigated using a body simulated fluid as a corrosive agent, and wear tests with load, velocity and distance parameters were carried out to investigate the improvements resulting from the produced ultrafine-grained structure and crystallographic texture. EBSD revealed that 4-pass ECAP processing yielded a grain size reduction of 92.7%. Accordingly, this ultrafine-grained structure reduced the corrosion rate by 94%, improved the corrosion resistance by 726%, and notably improved the billets’ wear behavior, compared to the as-annealed condition. Therefore, this in-depth analysis confirms the promising potential of ZK30 alloy for industrial use in bone applications.

Mechanical properties and microstructure of Al–Mg (5052) alloy processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) with variation of ECAP routes and heat treatment

Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) has become an effective technique of severe plastic deformation designed to produce ultrafine grain metals with improved mechanical properties, such as a good combination of strength and ductility. A report on the effect of ECAP routes on the mechanical and microstructure of commercial 5052 aluminum alloy needs also to be included. This work has been undertaken, in order to obtain the results. In this work, several deformation routes were used to process the Al – Mg (5052) alloy, namely A, Ba, Bc and C. Deformation route A involved repeatedly pushing the sample into the ECAP die without rotation, route Ba was performed by rotating the sample through 90° in alternate directions between each pass, route Bc by rotating the sample 90° in the same sense between each pass and route C by rotating the sample 180° between passes. The addition of the pass number decreases the grain size of ECAP-processed samples when compared to the as-annealed sample. It also confirmed that the microstructure of the 8-pass samples shows a finer grain size than the as-annealed sample. Furthermore, the Bc route (samples rotated in the same sense by 90° between each pass) has been proven to be the most effective deformation route, in order to obtain equiaxed ultrafine grain structure when compared to other deformation routes. This phenomenon takes place due to the continuous deformation in all cubic planes. The restoration after the 4-pass number will lead to the rapid evolution of sub-grains to high-angle grain boundaries, forming equiaxed grains. The characterization of the hardness number also shows that the addition of the ECAP pass number increases the hardness number of 5052 aluminum alloy, where samples processed with the Bc route indicate the highest hardness number at 168.4 HB. Moreover, a similar phenomenon also suggests that the tensile strength of all ECAP deformation routes has comparable values. The effect of heat treatment for samples with the Bc route also shows that 200 °C annealed samples have the highest hardness number and tensile strength when compared to other samples.

Fabrication of Functionally Graded Materials through Severe Plastic Deformation of Powders: Process, Significance, and Future Development

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) are a remarkable invention in materials science and engineering, that offers unique properties useful in various applications. Having the ability to gradually change properties, like composition, microstructure, or mechanical properties of materials, gives FGMs unparalleled adaptability, making them suited for a wide range of high-strength applications. One of the novel methods of creating FGMs is to use severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques on powdered materials. The SPD of powders involves a few critical steps; The process begins with selecting materials with varied compositions and phases then mixing the powders, cold compaction, SPD methods, and, if necessary, heat treatment. The process is completed with characterization and testing, to evaluate the microstructure and characteristics of the final FGM formed. FGMs will continue transforming materials engineering and pushing the boundaries of their applications in many engineering fields and industries since they exhibit attractive capabilities like improved efficiency, durability, and performance. Therefore, this article explores the process of fabricating FGMs by SPD and emphasizes its significance and future trends in FGM production.

Design, Finite Element Analysis and Optimization of Helical Angular Pressing (HAP) Method as a Novel SPD Technique

Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) processes improve the mechanical properties of materials by obtaining Ultra Fine Grained (UFG) materials, orienting the grains and reforming the grains. Helical Angular Pressing (HAP) is a newly proposed Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) method. In order to improve the efficiency of the HAP method, its die geometry should be optimized first. In this context, four parameters (helical diameter, helical pitch, helical height and channel radius) were determined for the die channel geometry, each with four levels according to the literature. Then, thanks to Taguchi L16 combinations, 16 Finite Element Analyses (FEA) were carried out using Deform 3D software instead of 256 simulations, and effective strain values and maximum pressing load values were obtained. Later on, using the SPSS 16 software, Taguchi optimization was carried out to obtain the optimum HAP die channel geometries by minimizing the press load and maximizing the effective strain values. Next, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was repeated with these determined optimum die channel parameters. Finally, the efficiency of this novel HAP method was compared with conventional Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) and Twist Extrusion (TE) methods. As a result, HAP method provides effective strain values equivalent to 10 number of passes after processing with ECAP. And it is approximately 4 times higher than that achieved by TE processing. As a result of the Taguchi optimization, it is concluded that the values in the combination of diameter (d)=60 mm, height (h)=50 mm, radius (r)=4 and pitch (p)=1.25 are the optimum die geometry. In conclusion, these results indicate that the proposed novel HAP method is an efficient and applicable SPD technique.

Enhancing the electrochemical performance of Sn-Zn alloy anode foil for lithium-ion batteries through microstructure design via accumulative roll bonding technique

In this study, we introduce a novel method for designing microstructures of Sn-45Zn alloy foils utilizing the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) technique, which is one of severe plastic deformation techniques that have been used for refining the microstructures of bulk metals. The electrochemical properties of Sn-Zn foil anodes with various microstructures achieved through the ARB method followed by annealing are investigated in lithium-ion batteries. The degree and characteristics of microstructural damage during electrochemical cyclic tests are also examined in detail to provide insights into the microstructural parameters that critically influence the capacity and cyclic behavior of the Sn-Zn alloy foil anode. Our findings suggest that the ARB-processed Sn-Zn alloy foil, characterized by nearly ultrafine grains composed of Sn and Zn phases with the Zn phase forming a continuous network, exhibits superior battery capacity and cycle life compared to the sample processed using the conventional rolling method. This superiority can be attributed to its unique microstructure obtained through ARB, which reduces pore density, suppresses pore interlinkage, decreases charge transport resistance and nucleation overpotential, and enhances Li-ion diffusivity in the electrode.

Improvement of intergranular corrosion resistance of SS 304L by grain refinement followed by gamma-ray irradiation treatment for the application in the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle

The severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique has been widely used for grain refinement to produce bulk ultra fine-grained (UFG) microstructure. In this study, an improved corrosion-resistant material of type 304L stainless steel (SS) has been designed, from the coarse-grain (CG) microstructure to the UFG microstructure using the SPD technique through cryo-rolling at liquid nitrogen (at 77K) temperature followed by gamma-ray irradiation treatment. In comparison to the effect of gamma-ray on both CG and UFG microstructure, both specimens were irradiated with an equal amount of doses. Gamma (γ) ray irradiation (dose rate: 2.83 kGy/h) affected the corrosion resistance of AISI type 304L stainless steel (in both CG and UFG) in concentrated nitric acid (65 wt%) medium. The correlation of irradiation effects on the microstructure and nitric acid corrosion behaviors has been discussed, which is important for designing materials for application in nuclear-spent fuel reprocessing plants.

Accumulative roll bonding of aluminum alloy 6082: Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties

AbstractMaterial strengthening is a key objective of researchers and scientists in the present scenario for industrial applications. Although many processes can strengthen and refine grains, severe plastic deformation is the most dominant of all other techniques. Accumulative roll bonding is one of the severe plastic deformation techniques. This study examined how the various accumulative roll bonding cycles at the elevated preheating temperature affected the mechanical characteristics and microstructural evolution of the AA6082 strip. An optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and electron backscatter diffraction were used to analyze the bonding and microstructural features. To determine mechanical characteristics, tensile and microhardness tests were also performed. The ultrafine grain size was achieved after accumulative roll bonding processing of AA6082. Accumulative roll bonding processing enhances mechanical properties like tensile strength and microhardness during the initial accumulative roll bonding cycle, but these properties grow more slowly at higher accumulative roll bonding cycles. However, the elongation value considerably decreased in the first cycle before stabilizing. The nice bonding between the layers was seen after accumulative roll bonding. Even after accumulative roll bonding, the fracture morphology reveals a ductile mode of fracture.

Investigation of the Effects of Various Severe Plastic Deformation Techniques on the Microstructure of Laser Powder Bed Fusion AlSi10Mg Alloy

In this paper, we present a complete characterization of the microstructural changes that occur in an LPBF AlSi10Mg alloy subjected to various post-processing methods, including equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP), KoBo extrusion, and multi-axial forging. Kikuchi transmission diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the microstructures. Our findings revealed that multi-axis forging produced an extremely fine subgrain structure. KoBo extrusion resulted in a practically dislocation-free microstructure. ECAP processing at temperatures between 100 °C and 200 °C generated moderate grain refinement, with subgrain diameters averaging from 300 nm to 700 nm. The obtained data highlighted the potential of severe plastic deformation as a versatile method for tailoring the microstructure of the AlSi10Mg alloy. The ability to precisely control grain size and dislocation density using specific SPD methods allows for the development of novel materials with ultrafine-grained microstructures that offer the potential for enhanced mechanical and functional properties.

Design and Analysis of High-Pressure Torsion Process Using Finite Element Method

High Pressure Torsion (HPT) is a procedure that is frequently used to change the structure and characteristics of materials by using severe plastic deformation. It is widely believed that astraightforward shear causes deformation during HPT. In order to create nanocrystalline structures in metals and alloys as well as to cold weld powders, HPT is utilized. The flow kinematics and stress condition of a material under deformation dictate the HPT treatment’s outcome. Recent studies have revealed that the actual plastic flow during HPT might deviate greatly from the straightforward concept. Based on a modification of the traditional high pressure torsion technique of severe plastic deformation, a new approach called High Pressure Torsion Extrusion (HPTE) will be proposed. A specimen will be extruded via sectional containers that will be spinning in relation to one another during HPTE. The area where the containers converge on the specimen will be exposed to shear deformation. The findings of the FEM inquiry will be presented in this report

Severe Plastic Deformation of Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce Alloys: Advancing Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Strength for Medical Applications

Magnesium-based alloys hold potential for medical applications, but face challenges like rapid bioresorption and limited mechanical strength during early bone healing. In our study, we present a novel Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce alloy with low cerium content (up to 0.1 wt.% Ce) processed using two severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques. Through an innovative combination of multiaxial forging and multipass rolling, we have achieved a fine-grained structure with an average grain size of the primary α-Mg phase of 1.0 μm. This refined microstructure exhibits improved mechanical properties, including a substantial increase in yield strength (σYS) from 130 to 240 MPa, while preserving ductility. The alloy’s composition includes α-Mg grains, cerium and zinc hydrides, and intermetallic phases with cerium and zinc elements. Tensile testing of the fine-grained alloy demonstrates an enhancement in yield strength (σYS) to 250 MPa, marking a 2.8-fold improvement over the conventional state (σYS = 90 MPa), with a modest 2-fold reduction in ductility. Crucially, electrochemical tests conducted in physiological solutions highlight substantial advancements in corrosion resistance. The corrosion current was reduced from 14 to 2 μA/cm2, while polarization resistance decreased from 3.1 to 8.1 kΩ∙cm2, underlining the alloy’s enhanced resistance to biodegradation. Our results show that the novel Mg–Zn–Zr–Ce alloy, after combined SPD, demonstrates mitigated bioresorption and enhanced mechanical properties. Our findings highlight the fact that the introduction of this innovative alloy and the application of SPD represent significant steps towards addressing the limitations of magnesium-based alloys for medical implants, offering potential improvements in safety and effectiveness.

Effect of the addition of 1.5 wt.% of mischmetal in the ZK60 alloy processed by Friction Stir Process (FSP) followed by filing on the H-absorption/desorption kinetics

This work investigates the application of Friction Stir Process (FSP) to the ZK60 alloy enhanced with 1.5 % mischmetal (ZK60–1.5 wt% Mm) combined with manual filing to achieve significant improvement in the hydrogen storage properties of this alloy. Addition of 1.5 wt% Mm to the ZK60 alloy yields a matrix with high thermal stability, attributable to the formation of high melting point intermetallic phases. Post FSP, the ZK60–1.5 wt% Mm material shows a refined, pulverized, and recrystallized structure. Such a structure allows the acquisition of filings with nanometric particle sizes and even more pulverized intermetallic phases post-FSP. This synergistic approach produces a significantly homogeneous microstructure morphology, facilitating the study of the catalytic role Mm plays in the hydrogen storage kinetics of the ZK60 alloy at 350 °C. Currently, among all Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) techniques, only FSP followed by manual filing has demonstrated a capacity to provide a nanometric, homogeneous microstructure that significantly enhances hydrogen storage kinetics and cycling properties. Additionally, the combination of FSP and manual filing is an industrialization process that can be easily implemented, offering reliability, controllability, and cost-effectiveness compared with alternative methods like High-energy Ball Milling (HEBM). Experimental kinetic data for (de)hydrogenation reactions were analyzed using the Luus-Jaakola optimization method, underscoring the potential applicability of the FSP-manual filing route for hydrogenation temperatures <350 °C.

A multi-angular extrusion process for fine-grain magnesium alloy plate

The precise forming process with fine-grain strengthening method of magnesium alloy is a common technical problem that needs to be urgently addressed for lightweight application. In this paper, a multi-angular extrusion process integrating severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique and hot forming process was proposed to manufacture the fine-grain plate of AZ80 magnesium alloy. Shear deformation path was introduced via the variable section and secondary angle of mold cavity. The unified internal state variable (ISV) based finite element (FE) model was established to simulate the multi-angular extrusion process. The interaction of viscoplastic flow and microstructure evolution was embedded into the user defined subroutine of DEFORM-3D software. The inhomogeneous strain distribution and microstructure characteristics during the extrusion process were investigated. The improvement of fine-grain homogeneity via the two-pass angular shear deformation was revealed. A fine-grain magnesium alloy plate with good forming performance and average grain size of 9 μm was manufactured. The yield strength is increased to 259 MPa by 23.3 %, ultimate tensile strength is increased to 338 MPa by 27.5 %, and elongation is increased to 12.9 % by 122.4 %. The developed multi-angular extrusion process can be applied to the integrated manufacturing of shape and performance of fine-grain Mg components.

Comparison of the Thermal Stability in Equal‐Channel‐Angular‐Pressed and High‐Pressure‐Torsion‐Processed Fe–21Cr–5Al Alloy

Nanostructured steels are expected to have enhanced irradiation tolerance and improved strength. However, they suffer from poor microstructural stability at elevated temperatures. In this study, Fe–21Cr–5Al–0.026C (wt%) Kanthal D (KD) alloy belonging to a class of (FeCrAl) alloys considered for accident‐tolerant fuel cladding in light‐water reactors is nanostructured using two severe plastic deformation techniques of equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high‐pressure torsion (HPT), and their thermal stability between 500–700 °C is studied and compared. ECAP KD is found to be thermally stable up to 500 °C, whereas HPT KD is unstable at 500 °C. Microstructural characterization reveals that ECAP KD undergoes recovery at 550 °C and recrystallization above 600 °C, while HPT KD shows continuous grain growth after annealing above 500 °C. Enhanced thermal stability of ECAP KD is from significant fraction (&gt;50%) of low‐angle grain boundaries (GBs) (misorientation angle 2–15°) stabilizing the microstructure due to their low mobility. Small grain sizes, a high fraction (&gt;80%) of high‐angle GBs (misorientation angle &gt;15°) and accordingly a large amount of stored GB energy, serve as the driving force for HPT KD to undergo grain growth instead of recrystallization driven by excess stored strain energy.

Microstructural evolution and intermetallic formation in Zn-3Mg (wt%) powder mixture processed by high-pressure torsion

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques have been used extensively over the past 40 years for producing strong metals and alloys. High-pressure torsion (HPT) is one of the most promising SPD techniques for achieving high strength through nanoscale grain refinement and phase transformation. In this research, a mixture of pure zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) powders, Zn-3Mg (wt%), was HPT-processed under a pressure of 6 GPa for 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 turns at room temperature to achieve a high strength biodegradable material. In order to understand the effects of pre-consolidation on the resulting microstructure and hardness, HPT processing was performed on loose powders placed in the die and also on a pre-compacted powder mixture and the resulting HPT disks were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, and Vickers microhardness. In both cases, the HPT disk microstructures contained nanoscale grains, and stable and metastable strain-induced intermetallics, but an unusual softening appeared at large shear strains. Grain size, grain morphology, and the formation of different intermetallics were analyzed to explain the unusual hardness distribution, and it was found that an inverse Hall-Petch relationship between hardness and grain size exists. It is suggested that thermally-activated phenomena such as grain boundary sliding contributed to the strain-induced softening of this nano-structured biomaterial due to its low melting point. The current results are compared with those for HPT-processed cast alloys and hybrids of the same composition.