Evaluating plastic anisotropy in two aluminum alloys processed by equal-channel angular pressing

Experiments were conducted on two commercial aluminum alloys, Al-6061 and Al-7034, to evaluate the development of any plastic anisotropy during processing by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP). After pressing through various numbers of passes, compression tests were conducted at room temperature using samples cut in different orientations with respect to the pressing direction. Additional information was obtained by taking microhardness measurements on three orthogonal planes of sectioning. The results show the presence of significant changes in the stress–strain behavior after ECAP but these changes are fully consistent with the anticipated trends based on tensile data reported earlier. Using results from compression testing and from the microhardness measurements, both alloys confirm the development of excellent homogeneity after pressing through 6 passes. There is no evidence in these two alloys for any tension–compression asymmetry in plastic deformation after processing by ECAP.