The effect of cumulative large plastic strain on the structure and properties of a Cu–Zn alloy

A Cu–38%Zn alloy has been deformed to large strain by a new method, and the change of structure has been investigated. The method is called equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). After deformation, the microstructure has been changed greatly, while the macrostructure, such as the size and distribution of the second phase and the original grain boundaries have been changed a little. As the equivalent true strain is increased to 10, the average crystallite size is decreased to 0.4 μm according to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation and X-ray diffraction results. At the same time, the Vickers hardness is increased from 71 to 220.