The simulation of deformation distribution during ECAP using 3D finite element method

In this paper, a 3D finite element model is used to analyse the deformation heterogeneity during a single pass of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP). The equivalent plastic strains in three perpendicular planes of the billet are predicted and the influence of the friction between billet and channel on the equivalent plastic strain is determined. The results show that the equivalent plastic strains are not uniform in three directions. The deformation inhomogeneity indexes and the location of maximum equivalent plastic strain are varied with the increasing friction coefficient. The numerical predictions have a good agreement with theoretical and experimental results. This indicates that the proposed 3D finite element model can perfectly simulate the deformation distribution during ECAP process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.