Equal channel angular pressing die to extrude a variety of materials

In order to design an equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) die that can be used to process a variety of materials, it is crucial to understand the effect of die design and material parameters on the deformation behaviour, strain distribution and load requirement. In this regard numerical modeling has been carried out to understand the effect of three important parameters: Die corner angle (ψ), friction and constitutive relationship of materials [σ = f(ε, έ, T)]. Though these parameters have been studied and reported earlier, current study has produced some significant new results and has helped to arrive at an optimized die design which can be used to process a variety of engineering materials. Physical modeling experiments using plasticine and tin have been used to validate the numerical modeling results and to gain further insight in to the process. The results obtained are presented and discussed.