Using equal-channel angular pressing for the production of superplastic aluminum and magnesium alloys

Equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) is a useful tool for achieving exceptional grain refinement in bulk metallic alloys. Typically, the grain sizes produced through ECAP are in the submicrometer range, and thus they are smaller by up to an order of magnitude than the grain sizes attained through typical thermomechanical treatments. As a consequence of these ultrafine grains, the as-pressed alloys may exhibit superplastic ductilities at faster strain rates than in conventional superplastic alloys. This work initially describes the application of ECAP to two different alloys. First, results are presented for a commercial Al-2024 alloy where this alloy was selected because it contains no minor additions of either zirconium or scandium to assist in restricting grain growth. The results show that superplasticity is achieved through the use of ECAP. Second, results are described for a Mg-0.6%Zr alloy where this alloy was selected because it is the optimum composition for achieving a high damping capacity. Again, processing by ECAP produces superplastic ductilities not attained in the cast alloy. The second part of this work demonstrates that processing by ECAP may be extended from conventional rod or bar samples to samples in the form of plates. This is a very attractive feature for industrial superplastic forming applications.