Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu and Cu–Zn alloys produced by equal channel angular pressing

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Vol. 528; no. 12; pp. 4259 - 4267
• Main Authors: Zhang, Z.J., Duan, Q.Q., An, X.H., Wu, S.D., Yang, G., Zhang, Z.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.05.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alloys; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; COPPER ALLOYS (40 TO 99.3 CU); Copper base alloys; COPPER ZINC ALLOYS; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Cu–Zn alloy; DEFORMATION; Deformation and plasticity (including yield, ductility, and superplasticity); Dislocations; Ductility; Equal channel angular pressing; Equal channeling angular pressing (ECAP); Evolution; Exact sciences and technology; GRAIN SIZE AND SHAPE; Materials science; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; MECHANICAL PROPERTIES; Mechanical properties of solids; Microstructure; MICROSTRUCTURES; Other heat and thermomechanical treatments; Physics; Plastic deformation; PROPERTIES; Stacking fault energy (SFE); Strength; Strengthen; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; Stacking fault energy (SFE); Cu–Zn alloy; Ductility; Strengthen; Equal channeling angular pressing (ECAP); Defect density; Stacking faults; Dislocation motion; Copper base alloys; ECAP; Tensile strength; Zinc alloys; Cu-Zn alloy; Plasticity; Fine grain structure; Microstructure; Grain refinement; Transition element alloys
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2010.12.080
• ISSN: 0921-5093

Ultrafine-grained (UFG) Cu and Cu–Zn alloy were prepared using equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) to investigate the effects of stacking fault energy (SFE) on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties. Combining with the previous researches, the grain refinement process of ECAP is divided into three stages based on the variation of tensile strength and plasticity. According to the influences of defects on strength and ductility during plastic deformation, the three stages are discussed in detail by considering the dislocation density, grain and twin boundaries. Besides, the impact of SFE on the strength and ductility of the UFG Cu–Zn alloys are evaluated, indicating that these two mechanical properties can be improved simultaneously in the whole ECAP process either through slightly or widely adjusting the SFE. This significant effect of SFE reflects in two aspects, one is in the microstructure evolution during ECAP processing and the other is in the subsequent tensile plastic deformation, both of which can be achieved through regulating the dislocation motion via changing the SFE.