Microstructure and texture evolution in metals and alloys during intense plastic deformation

Intense plastic deformation is generally effective in producing grain refinement. IPD methods include equal channel angular pressing/extrusion (ECAP/ECAE), high-pressure torsion (HPT), accumulative roll bonding (ARB), and friction stir processing (FSP), among others. In this work, we summarize the main results on grain refinement by these processing methods and present our own data on microstructure and texture evolution in metals and alloys during ECAP, HPT and FSP. Whereas ECAP and HPT are usually performed with the work piece material initially at room temperature or even at liquid nitrogen temperature to enhance refinement, FSP involves a brief but complex thermomechanical cycle with peak temperatures up to 0.7 - 0.9 T-Melt. Apparently, materials undergo dynamic recrystallization (DRX) during ESP. DRX also occurs also in metals and alloys of low T-Melt due to adiabatic heating during HPT performed at room temperature. The paper is devoted to revisiting of previous as well as new results and a comparative analysis of microstructure and texture evolution in commercially pure aluminum and selected pure metals and alloys during ECAP, HPT and FSP in order to illustrate the limits of grain refinement.