Microstructure and mechanical properties of tantalum after equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE)

We have investigated the microstructure and mechanical properties of equal channel angular extruded (ECAE) Ta. Mechanical properties were measured both under quasi-static loading and dynamic loading (in the latter case, the compression Kolsky bar technique was employed to attain strain rates of ∼103 s−1). It is shown that four passes of ECAE with route C at room temperature, which results in an equivalent strain of ∼4.64, increases the strength of Ta by a factor of 2–3 under quasi-static loading, and by a factor of more than 1.5 under dynamic loading. Under quasi-static loading, the ECAE processed samples exhibit almost elastic-perfect plastic behavior; under dynamic loading, slight softening is observed, presumably due to adiabatic heating. It is found that ECAE decreases the strain rate sensitivity. Comparison of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) between the un-processed and ECAE processed Ta indicates significant broadening of the XRD peaks in the ECAE processed sample. Transmission electron microscopy reveals textured, elongated substructures with an average size of about 200 nm, and the substructures are separated by small angle grain boundaries. This work shows the potential for the production of ultra-fine grained or even nano-structured refractory metals with high melting points by using severe plastic deformation. Signs indicating increased shear localization tendancy were observed at high strain rates.