A special deformation technique, equal channel angular extrusion, (ECAE) to control materials structure, texture and physico-mechanical properties is described in detail. The paper presents a continual analysis of stress, strain, shear planes, steady and localized flow, multipass processing which define microstructural effects and are critical for attained results. Links between macromechanics of simple shear and grain refinement are outlined.

Equal channel angular extrusion: from macromechanics to structure formation

Of late, nanotechnology seems to be rapidly thrusting its applications in all aspects of life including engineering and medicine. Materials science and engineering has experienced a tremendous growth in the field of nanocomposite development with enhanced chemical, mechanical, and physical properties. A wide array of research has been conducted in the processing of nanocomposites. Consolidation of these systems from loose particles to bulk free form entities has always been a challenge. To name a few, traditional consolidation techniques such as cold pressing and sintering at high temperatures, hot pressing, and hot isostatic pressing have strong limitations of not being able to retain the nanoscale grain size due to the excessive grain growth during processing. This article reviews in detail the results from numerous studies on various methods for manufacturing nanocomposites with improved properties and retained nanostructures. Both challenges and recent advances are discussed in detail in this review.

Challenges and advances in nanocomposite processing techniques

High-pressure torsion (HPT) method currently receives much attention as a severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique mainly because of the reports of Prof. Ruslan Z. Valiev and his co-workers in 1988. They reported the efficiency of the method in creating ultrafine-grained (UFG) structures with predominantly high-angle grain boundaries, which started the new age of nanoSPD materials with novel properties. The HPT method was first introduced by Prof. Percy W. Bridgman in 1935. Bridgman pioneered application of high torsional shearing stress combined with high hydrostatic pressure to many different kinds of materials such as pure elements, metallic materials, glasses, geological materials (rocks and minerals), biological materials, polymers and many different kinds of organic and inorganic compounds. This paper reviews the findings of Bridgman and his successors from 1935 to 1988 using the HPT method and summarizes their historical importance in recent advancement of materials, properties, phase transformations and HPT machine designs.

A review on high-pressure torsion (HPT) from 1935 to 1988

Methods of deforming metals to large strains are reviewed and the process of equal channel angular extrusion is analysed in detail. The development of microstructure during large strain deformation is discussed, and it is concluded that the main criterion for the formation of a sub–micron grain structure is the generation of a sufficiently large fraction (> 0.7) of high–angle grain boundary during the deformation process. For aluminium alloys, it is found that a low–temperature anneal is required to convert the deformed microstructure into an equi–axed grain structure. The material, microstructural and processing factors that influence the formation of such fine–grain microstructures are discussed, and the stability of these microstructures at elevated temperatures is considered.

Developing stable fine–grain microstructures by large strain deformation

Developing stable fine-grain microstructures by large strain deformation - Discussion

A combined torsion and compression mode of deformation has been used to deform copper and silver to equivalent tensile true strains of ≃ 8. The microstructures have been determined by transmission electron microscopy. It has been found that at true strains within the range 4–8 there is no change in microstructure or Vickers hardness with strain. The type of microstructure is that of fine grains, similar to those formed by recrystallization. The yield stress of the fine grained structures in .copper corresponds to that predicted from the Hall- Petch relationship.

J. Nutting

Papers

Deformation of metals to high strains using combination of torsion and compression