Textural Evaluation of Al-Si-Cu Alloy Processed by Route BC-ECAP

In this study, route Bc of the equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) method has been successfully applied to the Al-Si-Cu alloy at 400 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) were used to analyze the microstructure. Texture evolution was studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The microstructural results showed that at least four passes of route -B-C need to access uniform distribution of fine intermetallic compounds (IMCs) and eutectic silicon particles (ESPs). The particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) and continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) are two important mechanisms to refine the aluminum matrix in Al-Si- Cu alloy. The texture results revealed that owing to a change in the rotation direction of route -BC in consecutive passes, this process led to creating different types of textures, in both qualitative and quantitative senses. The A*1 Theta and A*2 Theta were the strongest texture components after the fourth pass of route -BC. Regardless of route A, the route -BC-ECAP process led to strengthen the {100}<001> and {011}<100> components and weaken the {001}< 310> component. Three components, {100}<110>, {021}< 501>, and {013}<313> were developed by route -B-C. The effects of route -B-C on texture homogeneity were also studied.