Microstructural modelling of equal channel angular pressing for producing ultrafine grained materials

The evolution of microstructure and the mechanical properties of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) processed materials depend on the plastic deformation behavior during ECAP, which is governed mainly by the die geometry, the constitutive behavior of the material itself and the processing conditions. In this study, we describe some of our results of continuum modelling and microstructural modelling of ECAP in order to illustrate the capabilities of the models. In particular, results of modelling ECAP using analytical and finite element methods in combination with visioplasticity experiments are presented for various geometric and processing conditions. The non-homogeneous deformation is accounted for in terms of the strain hardening properties of the material. Finally, modelling the evolution of microstructural features of misorientation angle using a dislocation cell model during ECAP is presented.