Evaluation of grain refinement and variation in mechanical properties of equal-channel angular pressed 2014 aluminum alloy

Grain refinement and improvement in mechanical properties of 2014 aluminum alloy was obtained by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) technique. Well-defined grain boundaries were obtained in the ECAP processed alloy and a grain size reduction of around 94% can be obtained. Tensile testing after ECAP through three passes exhibits a significant increase in the yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy with a corresponding increase in the percentage elongation. A significant increase in the microhardness was also observed in this processed alloy. The results of ECAP processed 2014 aluminum alloy have a good agreement with the standard Hall–Petch relationship.