Influence of processing routes on structure and residual stress in aluminium-magnesium alloy after ECAP

Purpose: The main goal of present study is try to find the influence of severe plastic deformation using the ECAP (equal channel angular pressing) process and different processing routes on structure formation, properties and lattice strain of EN AC 51100 alloy. Design/methodology/approach: The cold ECAP behaviour was determined using three different processing routes A, Bc and C and four repetitive pressings. The comparison between three types of processing routes has been established based on microstructure observation, grain size measurements and X-ray diffraction analysis. Findings: It was found that the structure after three types of mechanical treatments is strongly deformed, and the processing route has a significant impact on shape and grain size. It was also found that direction of shearing patterns that appears after deformation have influence on residual stress in ECAPed material. The use of equal channel angular pressing method has also an influence on hardness of investigated alloy which increase more than 90% after four repetitive pressings. Research limitations/implications: Current study presents the investigation results which was carried out on samples, not on final products. Practical implications: Current research is moving towards to develop high strength materials with increased mechanical properties and fine microstructure which are known as ultra-fine-grained materials, compared to well-known common materials. Originality/value: This paper presents the results of structure and properties investigation including X-ray analysis of severely deformed AlMg3 alloy by ECAP process.